POLICE LED TASK FORCE CLOSES CLUB NOLLYWOOD

July 18, 2008;

On Thursday July 3rd 2008 in preparation for the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend, a police led task force with members of the Mount Vernon Fire Department and NY State Liquor Authority agents conducted an inspection of the social club “Nollywood” located at 46-48 Mount Vernon Ave. The inspection was part of Mayor Clinton I. Young’s “Safe Nights, Safe Journey” program to protect both neighborhoods and patrons from illegal unsafe drinking and street crime connected with both. 2 persons were arrested, a forged liquor license was confiscated, the liquor was seized and the club was shut down and padlocked.

“The Mount Vernon community will no longer sit back and watch as illegal activity occurs within our borders,” said Mayor Young. “Our Police Department in executing ‘Safe Nights, Safe Journey’ is working to rid our neighborhoods of people who do are attempting to trample upon the good in Mount Vernon.”

On Thursday evening, task force officers conducted an inspection at approximately 8:30 PM before a heavily advertised party and parties scheduled throughout the holiday weekend. This inspection was in response to numerous community complaints about disrupted behavior, unreasonable noise, dirt and trash emanating from the clubs premises. City Police, and Buildings inspectors had been to the premises at least a half a dozen times before Thursday evening and had issued summonses for violations such as unreasonable noise unlicensed sale of alcohol and overcrowded premises. The Police had filed numerous State Liquor Authority reports on the premises.

Commissioner David Chong stated, “In light of the continued violations incurred by this establishment and community concerns the Department felt an urgency to close this location for overall safety of the community. We hope that this will send a clear message that this Department and this City administration will not tolerate continued abuses to the neighborhood.

The following persons were arrested and charged, 1) John Edos, male/29 of 208 Newport Ave. Uniondale NY. Charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged instrument 2nd degree a D/felony, Unlicensed bottled Club & Warehousing both violations of the ABC law, and numerous Mount Vernon Fire Code violations. 2) Anna Idien, female/27 of 1985 Creston Ave, Bronx NY Charged with Criminal Possession of a forged instrument 2nd degree a D/Felony. Approximately 6 cases of combined liquor and beer were seized.