SHOOTING CAUSES HEIGHTENED CONCERNS ABOUT REPEATED VIOLENCE AT LOCAL BAR

(4/23/2007) Taurus Café, the Site of Continuous Criminal Activity

NEW HAVEN- A 26-year-old male was shot in the leg/groin at 12:24 a.m. this morning outside of the Taurus Café, a crime-ridden bar located in the city’s Newhallville neighborhood. While the shooting took place directly outside of the bar, the incident was sparked by a fight that took place inside. According to the police report, during the fight inside of the bar, the shooting victim was hit with a bottle causing a large wound on the man’s head. The fight escalated into the street where the man and his pitbull were both shot.

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and Police Chief Francisco Ortiz are angry about the continuous violence at the Taurus Café and the bar owner’s blatant disregard to step-up security measures. Residents have reported the presence of illegal drugs, weapons and other criminal activity taking place at the establishment on a regular basis.

“This is simply unacceptable. There is a clear and constant nexus between crime and the Taurus Café that must be stopped,” said DeStefano. “I ask the chairs of the State’s Judiciary Committee to reconsider Public Nuisance Abatement legislation that would allow sanctions on establishments like Taurus. We work hard to make our neighborhoods safe, the things that go on in and around this bar are only putting our residents in harms way.”

The State has held hearings in an effort to amass support to approve or disapprove the continuation of the Taurus Café’s liquor license. However, several individuals who testified were victimized shortly thereafter by means an attempted home intrusion and a series of threats including those made to Habitat for Humanity and their attorney.

"Members of the community have been telling us about violence that begins at the Taurus Club and spills into the neighborhood,” said Ortiz. “This is just one more example of a situation that has to change."

The City will be taking measures to require the Taurus Café to increase its security staff and will continue its efforts to have the bar’s liquor license taken away.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660