King East bar to close earlier amid gun crime concern
Sheila’s Place, located just outside downtown, will make changes to keep licence after tribunal decision
A Hamilton nightclub that has been a magnet for violent crime will close earlier at night and abide by other conditions to keep its licence.
Sophia Anglin, the owner of Sheila’s Place, and her lawyer agreed to the terms of a joint submission presented to the city’s licensing tribunal Friday.
“She doesn’t want the stigma attached to her business and she wants to assist in public safety,” lawyer Gerry Falletta said on behalf of Anglin after the decision.
The city sent a letter to Anglin on Nov. 28 telling her it would not renew the licence for 457 King St. E., which is at the corner of East Avenue next to Ellis Kitchen, also her business, because of “concerns of public safety being at risk.”
About two weeks earlier, a 24year-old was shot in the head outside Sheila’s Place around 2:30 a.m. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but was later upgraded to stable condition.
In 2018, Michael Campbell, a 34-year-old from Brampton, was shot and killed after a fight inside the bar.
During Friday’s hearing, city solicitor Janet Rutherford noted police had compiled a list of 51 incidents within 50 metres of Sheila’s Place since 2014; assaults, stabbings, drugs, weapons, robberies and disturbances.
Another summary noted nine shootings in the same period, including the Campbell homicide, two attempted murders and a drive-by.
Rutherford said the initial decision to deny Anglin a licence sprung from a liquor licence probe by police, the city’s bylaw and licensing department and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
In an interview, Rutherford also described the circumstances as a “perfect storm” with the shooting in November.
Hamilton has experienced a spike in shootings recently. Last year’s tally of 47 eclipsed the previous high of 41 in 2017. There were 25 in 2018.
With Friday’s ruling, Sheila’s Place can stay open — but as a bar and not a nightclub, which the tribunal decided meant no loud music and dancing.
Coun. Terry Whitehead, tribunal chair, said the city has a responsibility to ensure neighbourhood safety and “will not tolerate” businesses that create risks.
Another condition obliges the family business of 17 years to stop serving alcohol at midnight rather than 2 a.m. for one year. Falletta said his client had already made this change.
Anglin must also keep surveillance footage for 30 days and immediately provide it to police upon request.
Moreover, she has to implement the recommendations of a police Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design audit by March 1.
This involves improving outside lighting, including in an alley behind the building; increasing lighting inside the establishment; making sure surveillance cameras are out of reach to prevent tampering and work properly with no “blind spots.”
Most of the trouble seems to have taken place after hours with patrons lingering until 3 a.m., city licensing staffer Monica Ciriello said after the hearing.
The prohibition of dancing and loud music — low “ambient” music is still allowed — is meant to eliminate “rowdy” behaviour. “So this will hopefully keep things down.”
Staff said they weren’t aware of licences being denied to night clubs in Hess Village, an entertainment district where violent crime has occurred, due to public safety concerns.
In an interview, Falletta said his client has “almost been made an example of,” but added she’s willing to bear the costs of the tribunal’s conditions. “She’s taking the hit, but she’s taking it for the greater good.”