Comments on: bouncers need a reality check http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/ Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:28:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Anonymous http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Anonymous Sun, 02 Oct 2005 10:16:39 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/#comment-287 I work as a bouncer and I completely agree, especially with the comment posted by Darpino. I used to work at a bar within sight of Heaven and Hell, and I watched them use excessive force on numerous occasions, and one time watched a bouncer chase a patron down the street and proceed to beat them up. There was a similar incident at a new bar in the neighborhood, named Nolan's, where an enraged bouncer chased a patron who had been ejected (rightfully so, as this person vandalized the premises) down the street and proceeded to physically attack this person. I was trained specifically to always be respectful and to only use force in self-defense. Bouncing is 95% psychological, unfortunately not too many people recognize this. I have seen bouncers fired for less than what has been described in my post and the posts above. I am a big individual, but I use my size mostly in a psychological way (make people not want to get violent for fear of the consequences) rather than just jump on an opportunity to fight. It is good that you all are discussing this topic. But please also respect bouncers. The work we do is difficult, and those of us that do our jobs well are the ones who adopt the philosophy that we are there to ensure the safety of everyone in the bar. I work as a bouncer and I completely agree, especially with the comment posted by Darpino. I used to work at a bar within sight of Heaven and Hell, and I watched them use excessive force on numerous occasions, and one time watched a bouncer chase a patron down the street and proceed to beat them up. There was a similar incident at a new bar in the neighborhood, named Nolan’s, where an enraged bouncer chased a patron who had been ejected (rightfully so, as this person vandalized the premises) down the street and proceeded to physically attack this person.

I was trained specifically to always be respectful and to only use force in self-defense. Bouncing is 95% psychological, unfortunately not too many people recognize this. I have seen bouncers fired for less than what has been described in my post and the posts above. I am a big individual, but I use my size mostly in a psychological way (make people not want to get violent for fear of the consequences) rather than just jump on an opportunity to fight.

It is good that you all are discussing this topic. But please also respect bouncers. The work we do is difficult, and those of us that do our jobs well are the ones who adopt the philosophy that we are there to ensure the safety of everyone in the bar.

]]> By: Tom Bridge http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-286 Tom Bridge Sun, 27 Feb 2005 22:53:46 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/#comment-286 And people wonder why I don't go to clubs! Wondering if we should host a bouncer hall of shame? And people wonder why I don’t go to clubs!

Wondering if we should host a bouncer hall of shame?

]]> By: darpino http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-285 darpino Sun, 27 Feb 2005 21:08:27 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/#comment-285 The bouncers at Heaven & Hell's 80's night used to be really bad. My friends and I stopped going there after they tossed my buddy down the stairs. The bouncers at Heaven & Hell’s 80′s night used to be really bad. My friends and I stopped going there after they tossed my buddy down the stairs.

]]> By: jim http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-284 jim Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:47:39 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2005/02/27/bouncers-need-a-reality-check/#comment-284 Assaulting a patron except in self-defense is illegal. Even then, only reasonable force is called for. If the club has not trained their bouncers, and does not have written guidelines for them describing what measures are to be taken in the case of drunk or unruly patrons, a lawsuit against the club (in addition to the obvious one against the bouncer) is practically begging to be filed. The regulatory agency is: Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration 941 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 7200 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 442-4423 The MPD officer in charge of enforement of the relevant laws regarding bars and clubs is Lt. Patrick Burke. He can be reached at (202) 727-2201 Email: LTBURKE@netscape.net Assaulting a patron except in self-defense is illegal. Even then, only reasonable force is called for. If the club has not trained their bouncers, and does not have written guidelines for them describing what measures are to be taken in the case of drunk or unruly patrons, a lawsuit against the club (in addition to the obvious one against the bouncer) is practically begging to be filed. The regulatory agency is:

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration

941 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 7200

Washington, DC 20002 (202) 442-4423

The MPD officer in charge of enforement of the relevant laws regarding bars and clubs is Lt. Patrick Burke. He can be reached at (202) 727-2201

Email: LTBURKE@netscape.net

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