Nightclub violence

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Neighbours in Hamilton’s Beasley neighbourhood are demanding change from the city after they say they witnessed years of violence at Club 77 on King William street. Community concerns and videos showing alleged illegal activities have sparked an investigation into the bar by the city’s licensing department.

People living at Film Work lofts purchased their units on King William with the promise of green space, a park across the road but instead they’ve been left with a string of obscene acts right out front their doors. While the city investigates claims and videos of possible infractions, they are also moving forward with the plans for the John Rebecca park that would get rid of Club 77.

Roz and Dale Mugford and hundreds of other neighbours say they’ve seen it all. “Public urination on our property, to vomiting in the parking lot, to sex in the parking lot”

Some of the people living at Film Work lofts understood that Club 77 would be here. They were expecting the loud music and the noise but they never thought they would witness frequent acts of violence and even murder. Club 77 doorman, Vince Lofaro was shot and killed on May 13th. In a media release last week, the owner of Club 77, Anthony Sa, says “prior to Lofaro’s death and since, there have been no serious acts of violence at the club.”

But Mugford says the biggest problem is not the violence, it’s the delay of the park project that would see the club gone. Ward councillor Jason Farr has seen the videos. He says the project was supposed to happen a few years ago but the funds were used to revitalize Gore park. They’ve now set aside $1.5 million in the 2018 budget for property acquisition of the nightclub to start the greenspace.

In a written document, the club’s owner says they’ve approached the city to tell them they’re willing to sell. In the meantime, councillor Farr confirmed that the city’s licensing department is investigating claims made by the neighbours in the area and reviewing the video to see if anything illegal was happening.

On November 2nd at the general issues meeting council will announce how they plan on making the green space a reality.