Menino proposes club curfews to curb violence

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Mayor Menino is looking to crack down on violence in the theater district by instating club curfews. The call comes in the wake of a rash of violence including a shooting that killed a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Only days after 23-year-old Afghanistan veteran Stephen Perez was shot to death in the theater district after leaving a night club, Mayor Menino proposed curfews for Theater District night clubs.

“So if you want to go to the theater and go to a restaurant down there, it’s very safe. But after 2:30 in the morning, it becomes a hell hole,” Mayor Thomas Menino said.

The Mayor sent a scathing letter to the city’s licensing board, imploring them to make changes to the closing times of six clubs including Rumor, Venu, Royale, Guilt, Caprice, and Cure. Those clubs -- the Mayor says -- have had a troubled disciplinary history.

The Mayor wants to stagger the times they close so the bars stop letting out all club-goers at the same time.

“I as Mayor, I got to ensure people who live there and work there that it’s a safe place. What happened over the last four months really shows in some of those establishments,” Mayor Menino said.

The Mayor’s proposal has gotten mixed reviews.

“I think that’s a good idea. And especially if they have stuff over here and the clubs open up at the same time people are leaving it will keep them safer,” said Mahalia Thompson.

“You can do everything you want but still people are going to hang around the streets and I guess do the same thing that they’re always going to be doing,” said Mik Golner.

The licensing board has two weeks to schedule a hearing.