WARREN Motel owner: Patrol club or we'll close, go to court

The motel owner wants police presence when the club is open.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The owner of a local motel says he is going to close his business if the city does not address his concerns with an adjoining nightclub.
Disturbances in the parking lot of 77 Soul have created an unsafe environment, states a letter written to Fred Harris, safety-service director, from DiPak Dhami, owner of Travelodge on Youngstown Road.
"I demand the city look into this matter immediately and free us from our nightmare," Dhami wrote in the letter dated Nov. 3.
"We have lost much business and financially we are almost ruined. We request a full-time police presence during operation of the club to protect ourselves, our business and to stop loud music between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m."
Court action
The letter states that if Dhami does not receive help he will close his business in 15 days and take the matter to court.
Mayor Hank Angelo said he is turning the matter over to Police Chief John Mandopoulos. The chief could not be reached.
The owner of the dance club, LaShawn Ziegler, said he has offered to pay for police to patrol the motel parking lot, but Dhami refused.
"He told me that he didn't want the police in his parking lot," Ziegler said. "I think he just wants to shut me down."
Dhami declined to comment.
According to Dhami's letter, fights and shootings have taken place in the parking lot, and patrons have been seen urinating, throwing glass bottles and selling drugs. The letter also says prostitution is taking place.
"What I want to know is how Mr. Dhami can say this," Ziegler said. "Who is he to know all this? How can he say for sure that drugs are being sold or prostitution is going on? How does he know this for sure, I'd like to know."
Safety issue
The letter further states that Dhami is worried that he and his staff's safety may be in jeopardy because they are telling patrons not to urinate in the parking lot and to keep music levels down.
"We believe that we have an extreme threat that one day our life or our property will come in jeopardy from retaliation," the letter states.
Dhami has been asking the city for help for more than a year.
City officials have met on several occasions to discuss the situation, Angelo said.
Mandopoulos said last week that in April the mayor told him to shut down the club with whatever means possible, including the use of tear gas. The mayor denies he told the chief that.
sinkovich@vindy.com