Commissioners call for new safety policies

ALBANY — The latest ripple from a fight that caused police to end the city’s fireworks show July 4 could end up prompting a policy change for public and private events from the Albany City Commission.

The issue was raised by Ward VI Commissioner Tommie Postell Tuesday as commissioners considered a one-day alcohol license sought by Flint River Habitat for Humanity for a fundraiser planned Aug. 11 in the parking lot of Austin’s Firegrill and Oyster Bar on Old Dawson Road.

“I’m not going to rubber stamp any more processes where alcohol is served because people have a good time and then all hell breaks loose,” Postell said. “We’ve got to do something about the violence.”

Austin Newman, the owner and proprietor of Austin’s Firegrill, told commissioners he had arranged to have Marine reservists from Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany provide security and was considering getting off-duty police officers to work the event.

Commissioner Christopher Pike suggested that city staff should research a possible policy change that would require, as a condition of an alcohol license, hosts of events to include a certain number of police officers based on the size of the event.

The commission is reacting to a July 4 fight near Turtle Grove Play Park that prompted police to call an early end to the fireworks show on Front Street.

Police arrested 17-year-old Desmond Sadique Warren and charged him with carrying a pistol while under the age of 18. Two other teens, Cantonese Javar Kennedy, 17, and Antwon Johnson, 19, were arrested for fighting, and each was charged with disorderly conduct and released on less than $130 bail, according to jail officials.

Warren was issued a $1,000 bond.

City Manager James Taylor issued a memo following the fight saying that steps will be taken to ensure public safety for large public events. Included in the deliberations by city staff are ways to curb the participation of lone juveniles; the ones who often cause disruptions.