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Disco Music > Disco History 101 Index > History > New York City Clubs Get Raided By Police
New York City Clubs Get Raided By Police
In a surprise move, which caught seven clubs off guard as well as the patrons, there were raids on these venues by the New York City police.
These clubs were Splash (a hot gay cruise bar), Deep Space (mixed dance club), Spirit (one of the biggest venues in NYC that attracts everyone), and Avalon (a gay dance club that has had many problems before), plus others that have not been mentioined.
The clubs were raided by the police for letting minors in and serving them drinks and of course for the selling of drugs. Of the seven, Avalon is the most notorious, as it has had such problems, to say the least, in the past. As for the other clubs, ID's are always checked carefully and though drugs might be in use, it is usually done with some discretion. However this time, the police who were undercover at the time, were able to purchase drugs. All these raids happened the same night and at the same time (a few days ago-about April 3rd, 2006).
What is surprising, is not the fact that the clubs were raided, for we all know what goes on inside them, but that this has not happened in NYC for quite a while. So the question circulating on everyone's mind, is who is behind this. Is it really the police or some other club getting "revenge" so to speak? Not too much more is known.
So if anyone out there has some knowledge, we would certainly like to know for the newspapers and TV stations supplied us with very little to go on. Some of these clubs are still closed, while others opened the next night.
Meanwhile, needless to say, everyone is nervous, not knowing what is to come in the near future.
To be continued...
Barry Lederer
About the author:
Barry Lederer is a former writer for Billboard's "Disco Mix" column during the 1970s as well as being a principal owner in Graebar Sound, which outfitted many top clubs in the 70s and 80s with critically acclaimed sound systems. He is still involved in dance music by way of the Dance Music Hall of Fame and regularly contributes articles and various commentary for DiscoMusic.com. You can find out more about him by reading this interview.
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YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS
It really doesn't surprise me that the cops raided some more Clubs in NEW YORK CITY. Someone missed a payment!! The police has always made it a practice of raiding Clubs since the days of the SPEAK EASY during Prohibition. Club 21 used to get raided weekly,they are famous for their secret rooms and doors that made it easy to elude the cops, in fact, no-one was ever busted there!The COPACABANA was raided often as well. But there it was because it was common knowledge that Albert Anastasia and Frank Costello were the owners!! It stayed in their "families" hands until it was forced from its original location in the late eighties. During all those years, raids were common place because of GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION and DRUGS. It wouldn't surprise me if these latest raids weren't about the same thing!! In years past, there was always "someone" who would let the owners know in advance that the raid was eminent, thus avoid major charges. At The Copa the CASINO would shut down, and the "ladies of the night" would quickly be "escorted" out. But if someone forgot to "TAKE CARE" of somebody, there would be no warning, that is when major charges would be handed down. Some club owners,STEVE RUBELL, didn't "take care" of anybody, those would get raided and end up in jail. It was, and maybe continues to be, the way things were done!!
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