BOSTON — What starts out to be an enjoyable and entertaining night with friends comes to an abrupt ending full of drunk violence. The typical scene for after hours in Faneuil Hall on weekend nights is full of belligerent drunks starting unnecessary and dangerous fights for insignificant reasons.
With the increasingly violent behavior outside bars in Faneuil Hall, more detail cops have been assigned to work on Friday and Saturday nights. Last Friday, February 22, four detail cops were on duty. Two worked on foot while two drove around in a paddy wagon. Previously, only two detail cops worked the weekend nights; one in car and one on foot.
“It’s not the best job in the world to have to deal with drunks all night long, but there are more of us working now to help make Faneuil Hall a safer and controlled environment,” said Boston Police Officer, Joe Garady.
Garady has been working as a detail cop on Fridays and Saturdays for more than three years now. He constantly deals with high strung verbal and physical fights on a regular basis. “It makes my job a lot easier to have more men out here to help me keep the streets safe,” said Garady.
With the increase in detail cops comes an increase in money bars must pay to keep them working. Each detail cop is paid $100 per hour, and with two more cops added, surrounding bars owe more money. The bars must also pay a fee for the detail cops use of the paddy wagon. Bars such as Hong Kong, Sissy K’s, and McFadden’s are all paying the price for a safer environment.
“It makes my job a hell of a whole lot easier, knowing there are more guys to help control the violence outside, so all I have to worry about is what is going on inside the bar,” said Hong Kong bouncer, Frank Miethe. Miethe has been dealing with drunken violence for more than two years. He has been hit, stabbed, and verbally abused, and still keeps his job and dignity.
The increasing violence has caused much distress for surrounding bar managers, bouncers, police officers, and many innocent patrons. Which is why the bars do not mind paying a raised fee to have more detail cops on duty.
“I’m trying to run a business here. I want as many people in the bar as possible enjoying themselves and feeling safe,” said assistant manager of Hong Kong, Evan Curtis. Curtis has been working for Hong Kong for more than 10 years now and says the violence has only increased over the years. It has become more of a problem, giving Faneuil Hall a bad reputation for not being safe. There have been stabbings, fist fights, and gun shots fired. What has happened to people just going to the bars, having a couple drinks, and going home happy and unharmed?
The increase of Boston Police officers filling in as detail cops in Faneuil Hall on Fridays and Saturdays is hopefully going to reduce the increasing violence. All parties in the situation are pleased with the new idea. Last weekend there was a minimal occurrence of violence which was controlled by the detail cops. It seems the goal of making the environment a safer place is starting to be achieved. Boston bar workers and police officers hope they can keep control of the violence the same way for all the weekends in the future.