Late-night venues may increase crime

Officials believe that Billybob's latehours may attract criminal activity. Billybob's restaurant may be a favorite spot for students to satisfy late-night cheesesteak cravings, but Division of Public Safety officials have expressed concern that the restaurant and other 24-hour venues at 40th and Spruce streets have contributed to the area's recent crime influx. The late hours of the University Pinball gameroom and of Billybob's may attract criminal activity to the area, according to Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush. "The 24-hour operation creates problems," she said. "We're very concerned in the types of individuals congregating in that area and presenting a danger to students and the entire community." Last semester, Rush said a police special response team had found many city ordinance and juvenile curfew violations in and around the game room and the laundromat next door -- which are all owned by the same landlords that run Billybob's, Billy and Bob Schoepe. The western edge of campus around 40th and Spruce streets has been the site of many crimes since the school year began. The September shooting of College senior Patrick Leroy occurred less than a block away from Billybob's. The restaurant's name has also surfaced in the details surrounding the October stabbing death of University biochemist Vladimir Sled. Suspect Yvette Stewart told police that she and the two other suspects, Eugene "Sultan" Harrison and Bridget Black, had smoked crack and were on their way to eat at Billybob's when Harrison allegedly stopped the car to rob Sled. Sled was killed Halloween Night after trying to prevent a male assailant from stealing the pocketbook of his fiance, Cecelia Hagerhall. A mugging spree January 29 near 40th and Spruce left five students victimized -- including one robbed in front of Billybob's at approximately 3:20 a.m. And an assault that began in the University Pinball gameroom left a student and University Police officer with concussions early Tuesday morning. Such incidents have led University administrators to examine why the area continues to attract crime. Rush said the Leroy shooting and this week's assault "only culminated our immense concern regarding the area." Following the shooting, Executive Vice President John Fry said University officials planned to meet with Billybob's owners to discuss safety and alcohol-related issues. He indicated that the owners were among the only landlords in the area who have refused to work with the University on plans to improve the neighborhood. Both Fry and Provost Stanley Chodorow have said that the University would consider buying out store leases in order to bring in new retail. But neither would comment as to whether the University would consider a buyout of these so-called nuisance businesses, nor about whether they have attempted to purchase the property as part of the 40th Street Task Force's plan to revitalize the area. Regardless, "the University has a high interest in how the establishments are operating," Rush said, noting that University Police have focused "strategic" attention on the area following the increased crime. And she added that their efforts have resulted in a number of recent arrests at 40th and Spruce streets -- especially involving stolen vehicles and curfew violations.