City to Crack Down on Nightclub Violations

The following was sent to us by the Mayor's office. It was lightly edited.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that he will create a Nightclub Enforcement Unit to enforce permitting and licensing codes at late night entertainment venues, addressing concerns of public safety and disturbances at the city’s nightclubs.

The Unit will focus on establishments that are known to be popular and where agencies have received complaints of public safety and quality of life issues. The Nightclub Enforcement Unit will be looking at all popular late night entertainment venues, not just those designated by statute as nightclubs.  

The Unit will include a representative from each permitting and public safety agency: 

• Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department
• Inspectional Services Department Building Unit
• Inspectional Services Department Health Unit
• Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing
• Boston Licensing Board 

“Establishing a cohesive inspection unit will allow us to better enforce permitting and licensing requirements that will protect public safety and reduce excessive noise, overcrowding, and other quality of life issues,” Mayor Menino said. “I want to ensure that Boston’s late night entertainment venues remain safe and fun places for our residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The Unit will use its knowledge to conduct a thorough and simultaneous investigation on licensed premises. The creation of the Unit is in response to the repetitive violations of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Rules of the Licensing Units, as observed by the permitting authorities. 

The City has also seen an increase in “newer” complaints which have arisen due to changes in the industry, such as the increase of accordion windows, patios, smoking areas, and roof decks. 

The Nightclub Enforcement Unit will conduct quarterly and random, unannounced inspections on any given licensed premises to ensure compliance and safety and the Unit may conduct inspections of multiple premises in different areas on a given night.