A North Side alderman wants Chicago police to force a Roscoe Village bar to close after a security guard who was employed by the tavern fatally shot a man on Nov. 3. A community meeting about the shooting and the bar’s operations is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) told CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson in a letter that his office and local residents “have tried for years to rein in the problems related to” Bluelight bar, 3251 North Western.
“I am requesting the immediate implementation of summary closure…and the subsequent revocation of the license,” Waguespack wrote.
“A security officer working for Bluelight shot and killed a person during an altercation that originated in the Bluelight bar,” Waguespack continued. “It would seem reasonable that any person would agree the continued operation of the Bluelight presents a danger to the public.”
Police detained and questioned the security guard following the shooting, but he was later released without being charged.
A CPD spokesperson said the department, “forwarded the letter to the Organized Crime Vice Division in accordance with the Summary Closure ordinance.”
Waguespack is hosting a meeting for community members at 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Area North police headquarters, 2452 West Belmont.
“There will be an update about the facts of the shooting incident from the 19th District Commander Chris Pappaniou,” the alderman said in an email. “Representatives of the Department of Business Affairs and the Local Liquor Commission will be there to answer questions about the legal process of revoking a license.”
Roscoe Village Neighborhood Watch Committee leadership told its members in an email that this month’s shooting “is neither the first violent incident involving the Bluelight, nor the first time its patrons have disturbed the safety and peace of our community. Its 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. license has been problematic for many years.”
Multiple calls to Bluelight by CWBChicago went unanswered.
