Over the past several months, Paterson has been targeting illegal nightclubs operating throughout the city, officials announced Thursday.
“Operation After Dark” was launched in March after city officials began receiving numerous complaints about the illegal clubs, Paterson Mayor André Sayegh said during a press conference at Paterson City Hall.
“In the past, we closed down nine notorious nightclubs, including the infamous Lava Lounge, which we referred to as a den of iniquity and house of ill repute,” Sayegh said during the press conference. “Today, the former site of the Lava Lounge is now a preschool in an underserved area.”
No specific areas or illegal clubs were discussed by Sayegh or Paterson Police Department Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi during the press conference, but they did announce numerous enforcement actions.
The actions included 78 arrests, 379 criminal charges, the issuance of 378 summonses and the seizure of 1,973 bottles of alcohol, authorities said. Illegal narcotics including heroin and cocaine were also seized.
Over 480 inspections of various licensed establishments and after-hour establishments have resulted in an estimated $110,000 in fines issued, officials added.
“Our zero-tolerance policy is clear – illegal operations will not be tolerated,” Abbassi said. “We will continue to aggressively pursue and shut down any establishments that operate outside the law.”
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
