After a bar fight led to a shooting injuring four people last week outside a downtown Atlanta restaurant, neighbors in the same building as the restaurant say they want the business evicted or stripped of its liquor license.
According to Channel 2 Action News, business owners in the Healey Building said the shooting and a string of other incidents at the J.R. Crickets restaurant on Forsyth Street have disrupted their neighborhood.
Last Wednesday night, four people were shot leaving the J.R. Crickets as an argument inside the restaurant spilled into the street.
Neighbor John Wilson told Channel 2 the restaurant is partially, if not directly, to blame for the incident.
“I would say the J.R. Crickets was probably the catalyst for this shooting,” Wilson said. “There’s been a lot of activity there. About two years ago, they obtained a liquor license.”
He told Channel 2 he’s had to call the police to report fights and disturbances, and some neighbors said they’ve seen drug activity.
Business representatives in the area have taken steps to get the J.R. Crickets evicted, according to Channel 2.
“There’s legal activity being pursued by our board and the building toward the proprietor in general to remove that from our neighborhood,” Wilson said.
Marie Beth Morrison, another J.R. Crickets neighbor, said business owners have contacted Gov. Nathan Deal’s office and emailed state, City of Atlanta and City Council representatives.
The J.R. Crickets manager, who didn’t want to be identified, said he has hired private security and also contacted Atlanta police to increase its presence around the restaurant.
The manager told Channel 2 he is a victim, too.
Residents said they have seen more police in the area, but they worry the increased police presence won’t be a permanent change.
“I think they need to be immediately revoked of a liquor license,” Wilson said.
About the Author
