INFO FROM THE CHIEF
A PILE OF FILES AND ONE THAT GIVES YOU SMILES
Chief Alexander
268. Welcome to Blog 24. I was going to run a different Blog today, but I got a batch of over 60 files recently from Chief Alexander that I found interesting and I’d like to share them with all of you. So,let’s get to it.
Officer Jago
269.
I had talked about this meeting in a few blogs, (See Blog 1,Point 78). I didn’t remember the date until I got this info the other day. It was March 29, 2021. Also, I didn’t remember the other officers name. Turns out it was Capt. Winterscheidt
This email is from Officer Jago, who was at the meeting on March 29, 2021.
Meeting with Palace Owner
Jago, Bradley <jagob@ci.superior.wi.us>
Wed 4/7/2021 11:14 AM
To:Raverty, Nick <ravertyn@ci.superior.wi.us>;Alexander, Nicholas F. <alexandern@ci.superior.wi.us>
Cc:Winterscheidt, Paul <winterscheidtp@ci.superior.wi.us>;Brown, Matthew <brownm@ci.superior.wi.us>;Eastman, Nicholas
<eastmann@ci.superior.wi.us>;Harriman, Jeffrey <harrimanj@ci.superior.wi.us>;Lear, William
<learb@ci.superior.wi.us>;Poskozim, Adam <poskozima@ci.superior.wi.us>;Letendre, Marc <letendrem@ci.superior.wi.us>
Hello,
On Thursday of last week Cpt. Winterscheidt and I met with Brian Noel, who owns Shorty’s and The Palace.
We expressed to him some of the concerns we’ve been witnessing, especially around the bar close hour. We also addressed some of the issues Melissa from A Dozen Excuses had. In terms of what Brian has accomplished so far, he said he has increased the lighting behind his business from 1 barely working to like to 2 very bright lights. He is considering ordering a 3rd light.
Additionally, Brian has added a camera that faces his rear parking lot at The Palace, and is researching replacing all of his cameras at both locations. We told Brian underage drinking has become an above-average problem at The Palace, and warned him of impending increased enforcement. Brian welcomed the added enforcement and said he does not want underage consumption occurring in his bars either.To help stop the underage consumption, public consumption, and fighting on his premise, he is hiring either a bouncer or an extra roaming bar tender to check IDs and have more of a presence throughout the bar on the weekends.
In terms of addressing complaints specifically by Melissa, Brian has already told his bar tending staff to immediately turn the music off at 2am on weekdays and 2:30am on weekends. He believed his bar staff would keep the music on while they cleaned up at night, but he is no longer allowing that. Melissa believes Brian’s speakers are mounted to the common wall they share, but Brian says only one speaker is on that wall. Brian says his patrons enjoy listening to music while they are there, and he is not interested in ending the ability for patrons to play music while the bar is open.
Brian says he does not know how to fix the issue in regards to parking. Brian said Melissa’s customers park in his lot during the day, but he does not complain about them or have them towed. Brian alerted us to the fact that when he bought The Palace 4.5 years ago, Melissa and her husband had attempted to buy the bar but the old owner refused to sell it to them based on how they treated him. Brian believes this is the root cause of the issues Melissa has with him. I’ll continue to monitor the calls for service at the address and report back if there is any change in either direction to determine the effectiveness of these improvements.
Officer Bradley Jago
Community Policing & Public Information
Investigations Division
Superior Police Department
COMMENTS
Let me address his comment about underage drinking.
Wisconsin was the first American state to pass a minimum drinking age in 1839. It prevented the sale of wine or liquor to anyone under 18 without parental consent.
So, when I opened Shorty’s in 2013, 174 years after the law came into effect, imagine my surprise that law enforcement in Superior had still not solved this problem. Ok, that last statement was sarcastic, but I do find it rich that they want to pin it solely on bar owners and don’t accept any responsibility themselves. I had a staff meeting on March 24, 2021 (See Blog 2, Point 79). In that meeting, I expressed my feelings about underage drinking. I am also going to do a complete Blog on safety in the future that include possible solutions, something law enforcement has not done. As far as his comment that “Brian believes this is the root cause of the issues Melissa has with him”, I’m not sure that it is the root cause of Melissa’s problems, but it certainly could be one of them. She seems to have a lot of problems.
Other than that, I feel Officer Jago’s report is reasonably accurate and depicts the cordial atmosphere of the meeting.
The part of the Blog above, in yellow will play a part in my final comments at the end of today’s Blog.
270. This next email is from Capt. Winterscheidt, who was also at that meeting.
Capt. Winterscheidt
From: Winterscheidt, Paul
Sent: Monday, April 5, 2021 9:06 AM
To: Alexander, Nicholas F.
Subject: RE: Palace
Hey Nick,Just a quick update on this – Jago and I met with the owner of Shorty’s and the Palace. The conversation was cordial. We spoke about the situation with Melissa, but I don’t think he intends to make any changes to mollify her concerns. He views her as a completely unreasonable neighbor. I don’t think we made any headway on that topic, and I don’t think there will be any compromise on his part. We also discussed the increase in violent activity and police calls to the Palace. He agreed there has been a significant increase in problems at the bar. He attributed the increased activity to the increase in patronage. He also agreed underage drinking is a problem that is contributing to the larger issues. While underage drinking doesn’t seem like a big issue to him, he already took steps to curb it at Shorty’s, and he said he would do the same at the Palace. Shorty’s has a bouncer at the door checking IDs, and they are looking for someone to do the same at the Palace. Unfortunately, they have a lack of applicants. He also plans to install new cameras and additional lighting at the rear of the bar.
In the near-term, he is selling Shorty’s, and he said he will likely sell the Palace as well. I plan to discuss some strategies with the sergeants at our next meeting. I think directed patrol and targeted enforcement of underage drinking violations would be appropriate.
Paul Winterscheidt
Patrol Captain
Superior Police Department
COMMENTS
The one thing I totally disagree with Capt. Winterscheidt is when he said “While underage drinking doesn’t seem like a big issue to him”. All of my staff know that I can’t stand them. They are the human cockroaches of the bar business. The staff can’t stand them. They tip lousy and, not all, but many are rude to staff and customers. So I’m not sure why Capt. Winterscheidt got that vibe from me. As far as Melissa Hyatt goes, I said that I was not going put my business at a competitive disadvantage just for her. I try to follow all the laws that the city and state have, but I was not interested in making special “Melissa Laws”. She has been a rotten neighbor and has been rude to my staff and customers. And then she runs around bugging the police and never once has she approached me. I have never met her, yet I worked 7 days a week at the Palace. But the story doesn't end there.
Chief Alexander chimes in.
From: Alexander, Nicholas F.
Sent: Monday, April 5, 2021 9:47 AM
To: Winterscheidt, Paul
Subject: RE: Palace
Sounds good – not surprised. Have Brad update Melissa but just focus on the positive points of more lighting and better cameras along with our directed patrols.
Nicholas F. Alexander
Chief of Police
COMMENTS
I get it. As a leader or a business owner, you want to make everybody happy. But, I learned a long time ago that it’s not always possible. I think that the Chief and all involved should have changed their strategy and started a conversation with her about moving to a residential area close by. She doesn't have to live on top of her business. But the story doesn't end there. Capt. Winterscheidt chimes back.
Melissa Hyatt
On Apr 5, 2021, at 9:53 AM, Winterscheidt, Paul wrote:
Will do. Apparently she complained the lights he already installed in the back were too bright…lol.
Then the Chief emailed back
Re: Palace
Alexander, Nicholas F.
Mon 4/5/2021 9:55 AM
To:Winterscheidt, Paul
Wow
Nicholas F. Alexander
Chief of Police
Superior Police Department
COMMENTS
To all my readers, I did not make this up. I swear to God. These are real emails, not me making one of my lame attempts for a cheap laugh. After slamming my head against the wall about 20 times, I wasn’t sure weather to laugh or cry. I decided to laugh. This really is one those “you can’t make this up” moments. Even the Capt. was lol’ing and the Chief seemed speechless. You just can’t make her happy. I will leave you with my lame attempt for a cheap laugh below and see you on the next Blog.
Brian
