Pattern of insufficient security presents threat to public safety
OLYMPIA, WA - The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Wednesday issued an emergency liquor license suspension of 180 days for Studio Seven, located at 110 South Horton Street, Seattle. The suspension is effective for 180 days beginning February 28, 2018 until August 27, 2018. During that time the WSLCB will seek permanent revocation of the license.
Emergency suspensions represent an extraordinary exercise of the state’s power and the WSLCB is mandated to ensure that an emergency suspension is reasonable, justifiable and legal in every way.
During a February 10, 2018 event the licensee ceded responsibility for security at the back door and rear area of the club to a performers’ private security detail. Subsequently a person was shot and killed in the area where the licensee had abdicated their control. It is the responsibility of Studio Seven to control their premises at all times, including keeping firearms out of restricted areas, to ensure public safety. The licensee had been counseled on previous occasions that insufficient security posed a serious threat to the safety of their customers.
In coming to this decision the Board also considered a November 2017 disorderly conduct incident requiring 28 police officers to quell. They also considered an extensive history of calls for service, 26 cases, linked to the business by Seattle Police Department. Those cases, dating back to 2015, include driving under the influence, robbery, and both sexual and aggravated assault.
Based on the threat to public safety, the WSLCB is imposing an immediate suspension of the licensee’s liquor license to be followed by an administrative proceeding seeking revocation of the liquor license. The WSLCB is authorized by state law to issue an emergency suspension of up to 180 days of a liquor license when it believes the “health, safety or welfare” of the general public is in danger. The WSLCB issued one emergency suspension in 2017.