Sean Francis holds forth; Greg Mayes is evidently displeased.
Police Captain Greg Mayes is calling for the Planning Commission to prohibit the serving of bottled liquor at local speakeasies. Unfortunately for responsible bars like the Continental Room, this new rule against “bottle service” will eliminate high-end customers from local bars, making plenty of room for the get-drunk-for-cheap crowd that Fullerton cops love to hate.
Continental owner Sean Francis made a strong case to the Planning Commission for allowing him to continue serving $200 bottles of alcohol to the look-at-me crowd. Although he probably could have drawn enough favor from the commission to pull off a coveted exemption from the rules, Mr. Francis took the high road and continues to push for a policy that would allow other bars to restore bottle service too.
It’s been a long time since Prohibition was repealed, and it still seems silly to attempt to force it upon careful bar owners and responsible patrons. This new policy is a misguided attempt to curb obnoxious activity that is actually perpetrated by the low budget crowd who would never pay for bottle service, but will now fill our bars even more.
Fighting, public urination and drunk driving are already illegal. Why can’t the police crack down on activity that directly harms others, rather than creating more laws that only inhibit law-abiding customers?
Fullerton’s drunks will always find a way to get wasted with or without bottle service. The Planning Commission should not penalize responsible citizens and business owners for crimes they did not commit.
#1 by The Watcher on August 6, 2009
Has there ever been any small-government types on the Planning Commission? It seems like the type of job that attracts nothing but control freaks. They always know what’s best for us.
#2 by van get it da artiste on August 6, 2009
is the city council serious? I just finished cruising SOCO’s nightlife/boozeries with my european cousins and they loved it. Heads up, main street, the only thriving economy in europe is the indomitable spirit of its youth’s desire to live in the moment and enjoy life. my advice to fullerton city council’s save the foxers fools is don’t bite the only hand that funds your silly projects.
#3 by Travis Kiger on August 6, 2009
Van, this hasn’t come to the council yet. The PD is putting pressure on the planning commission to kill bottle service via changes to conditional use permits. By the time an ordinance comes to council, bottle service will already be restricted. The police department will then say “see, nobody really wants it”.
The staff strategy: It’s much easier to ram a restrictive ordinance through the system after it’s already in effect.
#4 by Too Many Bars on August 6, 2009
maybe because his cronies are going down like he is–from the AUG 2009 FULLERTON Observer:
BAD COP GOES DOWN
Years ago the Observer printed a series of
articles inspired by Fullerton police officers
who contacted the paper anonymously
in early 2005. They were fed up with
the corrupt actions of a fellow officer and
with what they saw as lax discipline dolled
out to him by department management.
They felt the officer, John Cross (and his
partner Gregg Nowling) were giving the
dept. a bad name and creating a situation
where other bad cops would feel they
could also get away with anything.
The most serious complaint against
Officer Cross involved the beating of a
handcuffed young black man in the elevator
of the police station. Stopped for playing
his car radio too loud, the young man
was arrested after giving a false name to
police. The beating was caught on tape
and witnessed. Cross was demoted, but
not dismissed.
Other complaints over the years included:
an insurance kick-back scheme involving
the Police Association, which cost the
city money (Cross was president at the
time); repeated failure to turn on his DAR
(digital audio recording) device as
required by law. The device records what
happens during an incident with the public.
It prevents corruption, as well as protecting
both officers and the public in
contested cases; failing to follow up on a
case of a potential suicide; and other incidents
of conduct unbecoming an officer.
The final straw came when he failed to
contact dispatch when an intoxicated offduty
sheriff was brandishing a weapon
near a local business. Although no shooting
incident occurred the outcome could
have been very different. Because it was
not reported to dispatch the incident was
never fully investigated, allowing a crime
by law enforcement to go unpunished.
Police Chief Pat McKinley (now
retired) fired Cross in August of 2007.
Cross immediately contested but the arbitrator
held up the termination. His final
appeal was heard in a closed City Council
session and comes before the open session
for a final decision on Aug. 4th.
#5 by Travis Kiger on August 6, 2009
Re: BAD COP GOES DOWN – Thanks for posting this. There is more to the story of John Cross’s demotion and termination that needs to be discussed. Nobody has been held accountable for allowing this guy to stay on the force after allegations of brutality and racism. Stick around for more….
#6 by Alan on August 6, 2009
Travis,
John Cross was terminated by FPD and the arbitrator held up the termination. We can speculate on allegations of brutality, racism, and conduct unbecoming of an officer. The department took appropriate actions and I feel any further comments about Mr. Cross are unnecessary and malicious; essentially irrelevant at this time. I think it would be better if you stuck to current issues which involve current employees. Capt. Mayes is fair game but there is no need to inventory the speculative sins of a former employee who has not been with the department for the last 2 years
#7 by Travis Kiger on August 6, 2009
Alan, not everyone feels that the department took completely appropriate action and there are several current staff members who were involved in those actions.
Furthermore, we prefer to learn from past mistakes. Thus, we will rehash prior events over and over until patterns of decent behavior are established.
#8 by Alan on August 6, 2009
I agree the current staff should be considered when rehashing prior events. Mr. Cross is done, no need to keep dragging him through the mud. Keep up the great work!
#9 by JustAGuy on August 6, 2009
So, FPD doesn’t fire someone, and that makes you unhappy. They fire someone, and that makes you unhappy. It sounds like you just want to be unhappy.
Firing a police officer is NOT a simple matter. You can lament that it should be, but it’s not. Just because YOU don’t like the actions an organization takes doesn’t make them wrong, it just means you don’t like it.
#10 by Travis on August 6, 2009
JustAGuy, you have an amazing ability to dispute a post that hasn’t even been written yet. If you can hold your horses, there will be plenty of time to explain what’s wrong and why… and it won’t be “because I don’t like it”.
#11 by The Ivy Leaguer on August 6, 2009
Well said JustAGuy, too many people unhappy about everything and they cant talk about it…because it doesn’t make them happy. Miserable…
#12 by City Hallin' on August 6, 2009
here’s the link to the staff report on this weeks council agenda dismissing his lawsuit on the city: no money for him, good riddance
18. APPEAL OF ARBITRATOR’S OPINION AND ADVISORY AWARD
http://fullerton.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=fullerton_5d02c0a66321242c6edeb9bdb5092723.pdf
#13 by JustAGuy on August 6, 2009
Wow…you think I have amazing ability? I’m flattered
#14 by City Hallin' on August 6, 2009
ACTUAL STAFF RECOMENDATION TO COUCNIL:
http://cityoffullerton.com/weblink7/DocView.aspx?id=329139&dbid=1
#15 by Wine Aficionado on August 6, 2009
Wine is served in bottles at the table in many Fullerton restaurants. The Celler, Summit House and others are going to get screwed.
#16 by Alan on August 6, 2009
Great write up, I agree.
#17 by Too Many Bars on August 6, 2009
Francis has been trying the city for years, they finally blocked this guy from getting away with more mayhem. he should pack up his Bentley and drugs and take the drunks to his Brea bar.
we dont want you
#18 by THE FULLERTON PRINCE on August 6, 2009
BAD COPS OUT, BUT SAVE THE WINE AT THE TABLES FOR SURE!!!!
#19 by City Hallin' on August 6, 2009
Good Travis, we are very anxious to read and hear all about this story. Very proud the city didn’t buckle and pay-off an amount for a rightful firing in this economy.
#20 by Too Many Bars on August 6, 2009
Alan, Cross tried to sue the city for a ton of money, but lost once the closed session council (two weeks ago) didn’t buy it–the final approval was Tuesday. That’s pretty current if you ask me.
#21 by Lori Taylor on August 6, 2009
I like your post Travis. I have enjoyed bottle service at the Continental Lounge and I would not like to see the government deciding what type of booze we choose to drink.
#22 by Wes Minster on August 7, 2009
Just don’t sell any bottles to Andy Quach!
#23 by juju on August 15, 2009
John Cross is a horrible human being…..He shouldnt be employed anywhere and should be ashamed to show his face in fullerton.
#24 by common sense on August 26, 2009
Juju .
you dont know what your talking about. The guy handed out more man years of incarceration than any cop in fullerton. Also served for 17 years and made a huge difference in many peoples lives. You sleep under the blanket of protection that he provided. Why dont you pick up a weapon and do the job not just whine like a lib ….