Becky Holland
AMERICUS — Earlier in the week, in two different editions of this newspaper, reports published concerning incidents at reported “private club,” nicknamed “The Boom Boom Room” (BBR) on Rainbow Terrace.
The first, published on Wednesday, gave a detailed account of the Jeffie Kendrick family and Delores Terry, residents of the Sunset Park neighborhood where the “entertainment establishment” is located, and how they want the place shut down. The families wanted a peaceful and safe place to reside again.
In Friday’s edition, the same establishment was discussed at length at the Sumter County Board of Commissioners meeting in regard to what could be done to eliminate such an establishment.
All of the news about the BBR stemmed from an incident which happened over the previous weekend when Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Sunset Park area in reference to an accident with injuries and reports of shots fired in the area.
According to eyewitness accounts, an alleged intoxicated individual left the BBR after reportedly being refused entrance, angry and driving. In the process, the individual, allegedly identified by a report issued from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office as Lewis John Greene III of 105 Olson Drive, Leslie, and confirmed by numerous witnesses, wrecked two vehicles, a fight ensued and shots were heard to be fired.
And that’s how the story started, this time gaining public attention as four ordinary citizens decided to take a stand, because as Jeffie Kendrick said, “We want our neighborhood back.”
According to Americus Police Chief James Green, the story of the BBR has going on long before this past week.
Green’s own department, which in the year 2008, responded to over 47,096 calls, including, “everything from accidents to calls for services and investigations,” has itself assisted in investigations and calls regarding the BBR.
The BBR was deemed by Sumter County Sheriff’s chief deputy, Col. Eric Bryant, in a previous article published in the Times-Recorder, “a nuisance for a while now. It has been known to have lots of parties where large amounts of alcohol has been consumed.” Sometimes, according to Green, such “entertainment establishments” have been known to possibly have certain illegal activities going on as well.
With 39 officers on his staff, working 12-hour shifts, “My guys do four days on and four days off, and then three days on and three days off,” Green said, “We have assisted on a regular basis with calls to the Boom Boom Room.”
According to Green, his officers were deputized by current Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith in an effort to “be a combined force to be reckoned with in times of emergency and need.
“Most of the time, by the time a call goes out, things have gotten well out of hand,” Green said.
The police department has answered calls to the BBR that have involved, “shots being fired, large-scale fights, drug related incidents and disorderly conduct,” Green said. “When alcohol and testosterone mix, fights can’t always be avoided.”
As to the ordinances or lack of ordinances concerning businesses in the county, the BBR is in a county residential neighborhood, Green said, “In the city, our council has been very progressive in reviewing ordinances and has tried to stay current with the legal aspects so that we can enforce ordinances, in particular concerning legal alcohol consumption, i.e. in legal establishments.”
Green commended Pat’s Place, the Astro Club, Floyd’s and Forsyth Bar and Grill for attempting to be responsible and in keeping with the legal limitations.
As for establishments that claim to be private clubs, Green and his department, in their efforts to provide a safe and secure community for the residents they serve, have done research concerning laws. “There is a state law in effect concerning private bonafide clubs ... ” Green said.
The local Department of Revenue office in Albany, notified by Green concerning the issues surrounding the BBR is investigating. “The Department of Revenue deals with licensing issues on the state level concerning public serving of alcohol as well as tobacco crimes.”
Green mentioned articles from the Times-Recorder, where it was mentioned that children were going into the BBR to purchase snacks. “The place needs to be shut down. Not only are our children being put into situations which could cause potential harm and injury as a result of aggressive behavior of adults, they are witnessing a negative lifestyle that we don’t want to convey to them.”
“I think places like the ‘Boom Boom Room’ should be attacked for the violations, not as a personal vendetta. I commend the citizens for taking a step and coming forward about the place. When we were trying to shut down the Elks’ Club, we couldn’t get people to go on the record.”
Green said, “It just goes to show that the time has come ... shut it down.”
