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Security increased for teen nights
By CHRIS TISCH, Times Staff Writer
LARGO -- Teen night at Storman's Palace will continue, but with more than three times the usual number of law enforcement officers after a brawl involving hundreds of teens at the nightclub last week. More than 60 deputies were called to Storman's, 2675 Ulmerton Road, to halt the fight early Friday morning. Club officials later met to talk about whether teen night events should continue. The teen events -- at which alcohol, tobacco and even gum-chewing are prohibited -- have been held at the club for about five years. Though a teen event planned for Monday night was canceled, Storman's will hold a teen night Thursday, said Tom McNeice, the club's director of operations. The club will hire 20 Pinellas sheriff's deputies and two sergeants to work security outside the club. Normally, there are about a half-dozen deputies working outside the club. Security inside also will be beefed up from about a dozen security personnel to 15 or more, McNeice said. "We're taking every precaution to make it as safe as possible," he said. "We've decided we can continue this safely and productively." The staffing level of off-duty deputies was suggested by the Sheriff's Office. "I think it's a little bit on the high end, but I want to let them know that we'll comply," McNeice said. Sheriff's officials said a fight began about 1 a.m. Friday inside the club when one teenage girl slapped another. Soon, hundreds of battling teens spilled into the parking lot, prompting off-duty deputies to call for backup. Though sheriff's officials said there were as many as 700 teens at the club, McNeice said only 500 came in the door that night. Police reports indicate about 400 people were involved in the melee. Seven teens and an adult were arrested on charges ranging from trespassing to disorderly conduct to drug possession. A deputy and bouncer suffered minor injuries. Sheriff's officials said the fight may have involved kids from St. Petersburg pitted against kids from Clearwater. The cause of the feud, if there is one, between youngsters from the two cities is unclear. McNeice said club officials decided to continue teen night events because there never have been widespread problems before. The club canceled the Monday night event to let the dust clear. "I feel it's an isolated incident that was kind of really blown out of proportion," he said. He thinks the added law enforcement presence will deter any troublemakers from trying to stir up a fight. "Now, with 22 deputies on duty, the kids will know it's not play time here," he said. "If anything, it's a deterrent." -- Chris Tisch can be reached at 445-4156 or tisch@sptimes.com .
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
