Increase in police visits to store spurs resolution

A noise ordinance before council would add jail time for repeat offenders.
BY AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, is sponsoring a resolution objecting to a liquor permit at a convenience store in his ward.
Pit Stop Mini Mart at 1708 Youngstown Road S.E. has become an increasing problem for police, Holmes said.
In 1994, the Mini Mart had only two police calls, Holmes said. In 2005, police were called 81 times, and this year the police have come to the business about 43 times.
"They're bringing down the neighborhood, and the problem just keeps getting worse and worse and worse," Holmes said.
He would like the Ohio Board of Liquor Control to hold a hearing on renewal of the license held by Beesan Enterprises Inc. Attempts to contact Mini Mart owners Monday were unsuccessful.
Holmes will ask that the resolution be passed as an emergency measure because all objections must be made to the liquor board by Sept. 1, before the expiration of the license Oct. 1.
Residency laws
In other business:
Council will vote on controversial legislation to expand the geographic area where non-elected city employees and officials can live. The ordinance would allow the workers to live anywhere in Trumbull or any adjoining counties.
Co-sponsored by Councilmen Gary Fonce and Robert L. Dean Jr., both D-at large, the ordinance would bring the city into compliance with a state law passed May 1 that lifts residency requirements for municipal employees. It also would clarify the issue for the city's workers unions.
Earlier this month, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 74 and Warren Management Association sued the city in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, asking the court to declare Warren's residency law invalid.
Mayor Michael J. O'Brien has said he would prefer to wait and see how the situation develops rather than pass legislation. O'Brien would prefer the city to be part of a lawsuit challenging the state law or to simply wait and see how other cities' lawsuits, such as Youngstown's, fare in the courts.
The new state law will decrease tax revenue and make it more difficult for security personnel to respond to an emergency, O'Brien said.
The legislation would require a yes vote by at least seven council members to override a mayoral veto.
Noise violations
Council will vote on a noise ordinance that would fine people up to $500 for playing music or television too loudly. Noises regulated under the ordinance include playing music on a radio or CD player, shouting, blowing horns, playing musical instruments and watching television.
The new ordinance will beef up the city's noise ordinance by increasing the penalties, said Dean, who co-sponsored the legislation with Holmes and Councilman Vincent S. Flask, D-5th.
People found guilty of violating the ordinance will face a $100 fine with the first offense, a $250 fine for the second and a $500 fine for the third. Anyone committing a third offense will also face a minimum of three days or a maximum of 30 days in jail.
Also, any sound device used to violate the ordinance will be subject to seizure by police.
Violators will be charged with a separate offense each day the noise continues, according to the legislation.
agarrett@vindy.com