Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2005
Source: Flint Journal (MI)
Copyright: 2005 Flint Journal
Contact:  http://www.flintjournal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/836
Note: Prefers to print letters from people in the area of The Flint Journal
Related: City of Flint website http://www.cityofflint.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

RAVE RAID

What's Next for Party Spot Should Include State Action

Until last weekend, the phrase "Getting Lucky" applied neatly to the
now infamous Club What's Next of Flint, whose past problems with
liquor control authorities netted it small penalties.

But the Flint club's luck should be running out in the wake of a
police raid early Sunday. The raid turned up a plethora of illegal
drugs, made available to a crowd of 130 drawn by promotions published
on the Internet for a "rave" party called ever-so-ironically "Getting
Lucky." Ecstasy, blotter acid, a psychedelic mushroom, the date-rape
drug GHB and the animal tranquilizer Ketamine were collected along
with such standards as marijuana and cocaine.

While the zoned-out revelers' luck went sour as police lined them up
and searched them, the community's law-abiding majority discovered a
stroke of good fortune in reports of very cooperative police work,
especially by the Flint Area Narcotics Group and the Genesee County
Sheriff's Posse.

These units had been believed to be in competition, but appeared to
have had no trouble coordinating efforts with Flint's Special
Operations and Crime Area Target Team units. They picked up rowdy
dancing drug customers from Saginaw, Clarkston, St. Clair Shores,
Durand, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Livonia and Taylor along with DJs
from Ohio. Among 118 arrested, 17 are charged with felonies and others
with lesser drug offenses.

Of all the Flint-area's finer amenities, who would have thought an
obscure establishment called Club What's Next, 2511 W. Pasadena Ave.,
would be such a draw? Its history is hardly wholesome, including the
shooting deaths of two men in its parking lot in 2000. In 2001, a fine
of $600 was levied and the club threatened with license suspension
after the state Liquor Control Commission alleged the owner had failed
to maintain appropriate records for four years and had not cooperated
with investigators.

The club's luck must have been running high then, as the state opted
not to suspend its liquor license. Perhaps last weekend's reported
sales of liquor to minors, along with the drug activity, will get the
state's sorely needed attention. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake