LCE hits four bars in two hours

Officers issue citations Brett Levinson and Mike Madden Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement officers conducted a series of raids within a two-hour period early this morning at local bars including the Blarney Stone, Cavanaugh's Restaurant, the Palladium Restaurant and Bar and Walsh's Tavern. Plainclothes LCE officers swept through the four bars, ordering all patrons to exit the establishments, according to witnesses. At the Palladium, students attempted to jump out of windows to escape the raid after LCE officers turned the lights on and began checking identification cards at about 11:30 p.m. Students without proper ID were detained by the LCE officers and were forced to take breathalyzer tests, according to Wharton sophomore Aaron Plotkin, who was in the bar at the time. He estimated that 25 people without identification inside the Palladium, located at 36th Street and Locust Walk, were questioned by the officers. Several of them were issued citations for underage drinking, Plotkin added. A similar raid was also conducted at the Blarney Stone at 39th and Sansom streets. Nancy Maleno, a Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science junior, said LCE officers checked the patrons' IDs after turning on the lights. At least four LCE officers ordered everyone without proper ID to the rear of the bar, while the officers checked the legitimacy of the IDs of patrons claiming to be over 21 years old. Witnesses said approximately 10 individuals were issued underage drinking citations. As the raid started, many people rushed to leave the bar to avoid being questioned by the LCE officers. One ID, apparently dropped in haste as a patron was leaving the bar, is believed to be a fake driver's license. The New Hampshire address listed on the ID does not exist, according to Directory Assistance. At Walsh's Tavern, at least four LCE officers stormed through the back door of the bar at about 1:15 this morning. But students leaving the bar at 43rd and Walnut streets said they had been warned of the impending raid in advance. "The guy at the door said, 'You don't want to be here,' " College senior Jon Mantell said, adding that he left the bar 15 minutes before the raid began. By the time LCE officers arrived, almost everyone under 21 had left the bar after the band playing announced the LCE was on its way. But Justin, a LaSalle University student who would not give his last name, said he was issued a citation for possessing a fake ID, which was later confiscated. And Engineering senior Benjamin Kaplan said he saw one other patron receive a citation. In addition, a fourth raid was conducted at Cavanaugh's at 39th and Sansom streets, although few details on the incident were available. After the bars were shut down by the LCE, several patrons milled around the entrances. Some even taunted the officers. "Just because you're walking me out tonight doesn't mean I'm going to give you a kiss when I get home," College junior Roee Wiczyk said to officers at the Palladium. LCE officers at the Blarney Stone, Cavanaugh's, the Palladium and Walsh's refused to comment about the raids.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.