“If they have time, we encourage it because of the visibility and it also gives us a heads-up if we’re going to potentially have problems toward the end of the evening,” said new Beavercreek police Chief Dennis Evers, who wasn’t surprised at Adobe Gila’s overall police run numbers. “We hope it’s a deterrent.”
Evers said the number of calls to Adobe Gilas steadily dropped to 122 in 2010 from 208 in 2007. He credits cooperation with the bar’s owner and managers in taking steps to curb the need for calls. Those changes include changing the music and adjusting the lights well before closing.
“I have, on a number of occasions, worked with Adobe Gila’s on ways to limit the number of calls per service, the demand for service and they’ve been very responsive,” the police chief said, later noting, “When they first opened, it was bordering nuisance. But they’ve done a much better job.”
From 2001 to 2010, police runs to downtown Dayton bars are far less frequent. Ned Peppers had 353 calls in that span, 301 at Hammerjax and 229 at Masque — averages of 23 to 35 per year.
Calls have risen at Adobe Gila’s in the first half of 2011, though 45 of the 93 were bar checks.
Adobe Gilas owner Steve Cohee stressed that many of the calls are not coming from his staff, but from The Greene’s security or patrons on the street.
“I would say 90-percent plus of (the calls) are from outside” the bar, Cohee said. “From our end, those numbers are completely skewed.”
Even so, the numbers have fallen since a death in the early days of the bar’s existence. In December 2006, police said Todd Jette of Jamestown was drunk and fell 17 feet backward over the railing.
Jette’s family sued the restaurant and The Greene for wrongful death and negligence. A lawsuit against the developer was dismissed. Court records show two cases against the restaurant were dismissed or settled out of court.
Two other lawsuits involving falls down the second-story staircase were dismissed. “There’s never been a legitimate lawsuit out there,” Cohee said.
A video on The Greene’s website touts its success in merging retail space, housing and entertainment options that offer something for everybody. The video, which shows scenes of children enjoying daytime activities like balloon artists and the fountain, also said The Greene has become the “region’s most popular nightlife destination.”
Evers said the increase in visits this year can be attributed to a change in trespassing numbers because police want to be notified when Adobe Gila’s bans a patron and, also that officers are being proactive.
“I’ve got a younger group on midnights, a little bit more aggressive,” Evers said. “That’s probably why the number’s up this year.”
Evers said W.O. Wright’s, which had 597 calls in the same five year-plus time frame, has had issues with pedestrian incidents since they’ve watched that area closely after people have been hit crossing Colonel Glenn Highway. Of 72 police calls this year, 32 at Tuty’s have been for bar checks.
Tuty’s — across the street from W.O. Wright’s — had 47 police calls through June, with 26 being bar checks.
Evers said those places pale in comparison to the heyday of the now closed Wallaby’s/Gin Mill location at 2434 Esquire Drive. Nygel S. Gibbs was shot to death outside that bar in January 2010. That call came in as a weapons situation.
“We were doing quite a few there,” Evers said of the bar, which had 147 calls (with just 36 bar checks) in 2009 despite not operating full-time. “It’s deceiving because even though those numbers look low, they were down to one night a week.”
Adobe Gila’s owner said the clientele changes night to night, but that Tuesday night’s 50-cent draft beer special brings a younger set.
Cohee said he appreciates Evers’ help, but that his other Adobe Gila’s locations in Columbus and Orlando don’t have this problem, and he doesn’t expect it in their soon to open Chicago location.
“It’s a little more challenging in Dayton than in other markets,” Cohee said. “For whatever reason.”
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