06-11-08 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Observation of Bangkok Avenue As a Deputy with the Sheriff's Department, I have been called to the Bangkok Avenue Restaurant several times over the last 12 months. What I have found unusual about the restaurant, is that during my contacts it is not run like a Restaurant at all but more like a Night Club or Banquet Hall. With Karaoke, DJ's and live bands. On Friday and Saturday nights, it is not unusual to have 200 to 300 people in the restaurant. After being inside during these occasions I have not noticed banquet facilities set up, or food being served. I have noticed bowls of rice and Styrofoam plates of chicken wings on occasion. The most concerning thing is the way alcohol is served. It appears Carona beer is served by the 12 and 24 packs, being delivered to the tables for consumption. There is no supervision as to who is being served, or their conditions of intoxication. After meeting with Mr. Thao and the city to address concerns about his Restaurant, Mr. Thao admitted he did not have the wait staff to handle the number of people at his Restaurant so he serves alcohol by the case. Mr. Thao states he has 4 wait staff for 200 — 300 people. When asked if he allows person under the age of 21 into his restaurant he said he did, but does not have a system of tracking under 21 patrons while alcohol is served other than by a honor system. The combination of serving unsupervised alcohol by the 12 or 24 packs, in combination with the presence of under 21 patrons in very concerning. On Sundays, the dumpsters of Bangkok Avenue are full of empty cases of Carona beer. I have dug through the garbage finding no signs of food packaging, which would support Mr, Thao's claim he is cooking food on site as a restaurant would. There has been time when there has been a full 40 yard dumpster full of empty Carona beer cases. If there have been signs of food in the dumpster there has been a few garbage bags of Styrofoam plates and food, nothing near the food garbage that would support 200- 300 people eating at a restaurant. We have received complaints from patrons who feel Mr. Thao's security has circumvented their ability to call the police for help, when there have been assaults. When I have arrived I have observed security herding individuals to their cars in an effort to resolve the situation, while victims are waiting for our arrival to file reports. This results in suspect fleeing the scene, while victims are waiting to speak with us or file reports. Mr. Thao claims he has no knowledge of this and encourages his security to cooperate with victims and Deputy's. My concern is that due to the unsupervised sale of alcohol along with the violence that has occurred already, things will spin out of control this summer. Mr. Thao does not have the staff to control the sale of food or alcohol, which translates into a less than responsible business model. Deputy Troy Patterson Ramsey County Sheriff's Department Little Canada 9