The Madison Common Council voted to suspend, and not revoke, the liquor license of a downtown bar Tuesday despite its repeated problems with the Madison Police Department.
The Ram Head bar, 303 N. Henry St., will have its liquor license suspended from July 1 through July 30, according to recommendations put forth by the Alcohol License Review Committee. The bar will also have additional stipulations added to its existing license.
Ram Head faced allegations based on underage drinking problems, which police said date back to 1999.
Ram Head owner Richard Lyshek said he was not happy with the outcome, accusing the police of heavy-handed enforcement when dealing with underage drinkers.
""I've witnessed an adversarial relationship develop between the central policing district and students,"" he said. ""They should foster support. Instead they foster fear, hatred and alienation.""
Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, seemed to echo Lyshek's thoughts when he said assault and burglary should be more important to the police department.
""I do think police have a major role in keeping bars safe, but focusing limited resources on this concerns me because there's bigger issues out there,"" he said. ""Nineteen- and 20-year-olds will drink, whether it's behind closed doors or in a licensed establishment.""
According to Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18, however, the council needs to make it known that police are only going after a few bars with serious, recurring problems where the law is not being followed.
""They're not going after every bar in the city,"" he said.
Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Zilavy called eight MPD officers to testify against Lyshek at last week's nonrenewal hearing with the ALRC. Each officer recounted ticketing underage patrons over the past year.
Additionally, Zilavy said the bar has not had a very good reputation with MPD in the past.
Several other downtown bars have also faced recent scrutiny. Madison Avenue, 624 University Ave., will also have its license suspended for the month of July. Johnny O's, 620 University Ave., and the Kollege Klub, 529 N. Lake St., both saw stipulations added to their liquor licenses.
