memorandomrr
CITYOFHOPKINS
1010 FIRST STREET SOUTH • HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 • 612/935 -8474
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 9, 1982
TO: Bill Craig
FROM: Butch LaBerge
SUBJECT: Fas -Gas Application for 3.2% Offsale Beer License
Since 1973, the Police Department has logged 105 calls to the
above location at 6th Avenue and Excelsior Ave. West. Of these calls,
approximately 50 ,were for "no pay "; or, driving off without paying
for gasoline pumped.
The remaining calls are an assortment of burglary, fraud, armed
robbery and other crimes. Of interest to us are about nineteen calls
that occurred, at least in part, as a result of disputes between
the business employees or management and customers.
There were nine disorderly conducts arising from disputes
between the business and customers;
There were six damage to property complaints; three of which
were caused by irrate customers including one who shattered
the glass counter in the office.
There have been two loitering arrests and one juvenile escapee
was picked up there. He was also charged with being in possession
of narcotics.
According to Hopkins Police Officers, the problems associated with
this business occur primarily at night, either shortly before or
after closing. The current night manager, who has apparently been
there for some years now, caters to the young people who hang
around there. He has been a source of problems to us on several
occassions when officers have tried to clear the lot there. Noise
eminating from this location is partly responsible for recent complaints
generated from the 9 South 7th Ave. highrise apt. building. When the
officers attempt to clear the lot, this individual usually comes to
the aid of these youn g people by saying that they are his "guests ".
Bill Craig 2 Memorandum; Fas -Gas
On one occassion, when the officers asked youths hanging around there
to move along, he stated that he "had just hired them ", referring to
the kids the officers were trying to get to leave. The officers had
to go to the police office, contact the owner of the station, and
then return to the station to kick out the kids.
This individual considers our efforts to police the Mall as an infringe-
ment on these kids' rights. He will personally argue and defend, and
in any way possible, interfere with the officers attempting to do their
jobs.
The problems associated with beer licenses, i.e.; sales to minors,
primarily occur in the evenings or at night, when this particular
manager will ordinarily be on duty.
The record of the business here speaks for itself. The Police Dept.
is called in to resolve disputes between the customers and the
business on a more than normal basis. This is not the kind of manage-
ment that the Police Dept. wants to see operating a beer license.
Additionally, the management of this particular business has not
cooperated with the Police Dept. in the past.
Also, it has always been the opinion of the Police Dept. that gasoline
and alcohol do not mix. Dispensing the two together tends to run against
that position. We are not aware of any other gas station in Hopkins
that also sells beer.
The Police Dept. recommends against the issuance of a 3.2% beer
license for the Fas -Gas Station.