BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- City leaders are renewing their push to get bouncers registered after several reports of problems at Buffalo bars. The goal is to make Buffalo’s night life safer.
“Recently when a young lady was handcuffed to a gate outside a club and asked a bouncer who he was, he would not give a name,” said Darius Pridgen, the Buffalo Common Council president.
Pridgen said they can’t always trace bouncers so he wants them to register with the city and clearly display photo I.D. cards. The Department of Permits and Inspection Services would enforce it and bars that don’t comply would face a fine.
Pridgen hopes it will prevent bouncers from being over-aggressive.
“This is about safety, when we look at an unfortunate incident at a drinking establishment that led to the loss of life,” he said.
He first presented the idea last year, after William Sager died. Prosecutors said Sager was thrown off the steps of Molly’s Pub by bar manager Jeffery Basil.
“This isn’t ‘We’re going to penalize the bouncers because of one bouncer’, this is ‘We’re going to identify them’,” said Pridgen.
We called about a dozen bars in Buffalo and some told News 4 they don’t expect registration to really affect them. The state already requires bouncers to get a security guard license. Bouncers have to pay the state more than $100, take an eight hour class and undergo finger printing.
The New York State Liquor Authority enforces the licencing and a state spokesperson told News 4 bars are penalized for not complying.
“They will carry that on them when they’re working,” said Conor Hawkins, a bar manager. “If someone comes in asks them to show it, like members of the New York State Liquor Authority, then they have to show it.”
Hawkins manages Sky Bar, Lift Nightclub and D’Arcy McGees. He said being required to register bouncers with the city won’t help small businesses.
“It’s hard enough to find staff right now without having these little loopholes, making it harder for us,” said Hawkins.
Council President Pridgen’s resolution still needs final approval from all city departments.
