Kenosha WI November 26 2018

When a fight outside a Kenosha tavern left a man critically injured recently, the tavern’s security systems helped police find the people involved.

Taverns and clubs in Kenosha employ a range of security systems — from armed security guards and metal detectors to ID scanners and security cameras.

For bar owners, the security systems protect patrons and the business itself, which could be sanctioned for infractions like serving underage drinkers. For police, the systems have been a help in identifying suspects when crimes are committed on or near tavern property.

Sgt. Jeremy DeWitt, who heads the Kenosha Police tavern squad, said police cannot dictate the security that bars employ, but said he believes most make an effort to listen to suggestions. “Most bars are pretty receptive to us making suggestions with them,” he said. “That hasn’t happened a whole bunch, but if we see something that enhances security, we will suggest that.”

DeWitt said bars that cater to younger crowds tend to have the most security. “Some bars do employ armed security guards. They do pat-downs or metal detectors — some have handheld metal detectors, or they just tell their patrons they are going to do pat-downs when they come in,” DeWitt said.

For example, he said the Brat Stop uses metal detectors and pat-downs when there are concerts at the bar.

The police department tavern squad is focused on compliance with liquor license rules, not on security, DeWitt said. Officers on the tavern squad are also on regular patrol on second and third shift, but typically do walk-throughs at bars two nights a week to make sure bars are not serving underage drinkers or holding events that are not allowed without a cabaret license.

Police also often patrol areas where there are a concentration of bars at bar closing time, when there are sometimes conflicts with patrons leaving at the end of the night.

Last week, there were reports of shots fired outside two taverns, and in one case, two people were shot.

Allen Johnson, one of the owners of the Rain Bar, at Roosevelt Road and 30th Avenue, said the bar has security officers and, on nights when there are special events, conducts pat-downs of people coming in to make sure no one is armed. Johnson was frustrated by an incident that occurred outside the bar Nov. 17 when shots were fired by people who had left the bar.

Johnson said a fight started inside the bar — he said it was the first fight Rain Bar has had since it opened a year ago. He said security broke up the fight and escorted those involved outside, and bar staff called 911. But after those fighting were walked out of the bar, at least one of the people involved retrieved a gun in his car and, while outside, fired at a man he had been fighting with. That man was struck in the leg by a shot. Another shot went through the bar doors.

“I’m a former police officer,” Johnson said, saying he takes security at the bar seriously.

In the future, he said, they will increase security outside in the parking lot as well as inside the bar.

 “We’re a good establishment, we have an upscale atmosphere,” he said.

DeWitt said most taverns do a good job in trying to control their crowds, and try to make patrons feel secure. “With social media now, that can really make or break your business,” he said.

But how much individual establishments invest in security ranges widely, he said.

At Fec’s Place, 5523 Sixth Ave., owner Mike Lampos has security cameras installed both inside and outside, and uses an ID scanner that can help detect fake IDs and keeps a record of patrons who enter the bar.

“It’s just another line of defense for underage drinkers,” Lampos said of the scanners, which help protect the bar against liability.

It also provides some analytic information on the ages and numbers of people who visit the bar at different times. “It’s an informational tool and an insurance tool,” Lampos said.

The outdoor security cameras and the scanner helped police make two arrests after a fight outside the bar Nov. 11 left a man with severe injuries.

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