CLEARLAKE –The Clearlake Police Department recently extended its assistance to the workforce at Silk”s Bar & Grill in Clearlake. Sgt. Tim Celli and Officer Carl Miller met with staff last week in effort to build a working relationship with the business.
Celli said that Silk”s has become the busiest location in Clearlake on Friday and Saturday nights, especially. Celli said given the visible increase in business, the CPD would like to build a relationship that is both beneficial to the business as well as to area law enforcement.
The informational meeting focused on what is expected of the business and what is expected of the police department and how staff and officers can work together to ensure the safety of Silk”s patrons and the community.
Celli said while there haven”t been any major incidents at the business, officers have noticed a few minor problems that can be prevented. “We want you to stay in business; more revenues for the city means more revenues for services,” he said. “But, I”ve notice a couple things maybe we can change. We just want to prevent people from getting hurt.”
Celli cited improper conduct by people in the parking lot. He suggested that security be more diligent in patrolling the area. Celli informed security officers of their legal abilities and said it is perfectly within their rights to peer into vehicles with their flashlights to ensure illegal consumption of alcohol does not occur at the location. He suggested keeping doors closed to avoid noise complaints and offered other information for recognizing false identification and over-intoxication. “These are just suggestions to make our working relationship better,” he said.
Celli ensured staff that reporting an incident will not adversely affect the business. “We don”t want you to be afraid to call us,” he said. “If business reports these things, it doesn”t go on the business”s record.”
Staff voiced concern for “bar checks” that utilize multiple officers. He said that officers conduct bar checks together in order to ensure the officers” safety. He said if a situation does occur it”s safer for the officer to have another, or several, officers immediately available. Celli said officer presence alone can often deter a bad situation before it happens adding that staff can request a bar check at anytime.
Celli said while bar checks are not conducted for the purpose of making an arrest, there are certain situations that officers will take action on. “If someone is being belligerent with us, chances are they are going to get belligerent with someone else,” he said. “It”s best to remove that person before an incident occurs.”
Celli said that the Clearlake Police Department responds to 30,000 calls per year. He said the department aims to do all it can to reduce those calls for service.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
