New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced the dissolution of the MARCH task force, a multi-agency enforcement group that has been criticized for its aggressive inspection methods at bars and venues across the city.
The task force, which included the NYPD, the Department of Buildings, the FDNY, the State Liquor Authority, and other agencies, will be replaced by a new initiative named CURE (Coordinating a United Resolution with Establishments). This initiative will prioritize "compliance and education, not overenforcement," according to Adams.
In a press conference at the Paragon nightclub in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Adams stated, "This is an era of no more demonizing successful businesses, but promoting, lifting them up. We want to continue to be the city that never sleeps."
The MARCH initiative, established by Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s, has been a source of frustration for nightlife establishment owners due to its surprise raids during peak business hours in response to noise complaints, health code violations, and other community grievances. These raids often resulted in fines or mandatory closures of nightlife spots.
John Barclay, the owner of Paragon, who has experienced MARCH raids at his other establishments, described the process as "very frustrating and confusing."
In contrast, CURE will not conduct such raids as part of its regular operations. Instead, it will require police precincts to establish direct communication with bar and restaurant owners and inform them of any suspected violations at their establishments, including noise complaints. Owners will then have 30 days to address any infractions.
"The only venues who can expect to see significant enforcement actions are those that intentionally ignore community concerns," said NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey. He added, "We have other things to do in the city than to chase business owners around. We want to take care of real crime."
The CURE initiative will be overseen by Office of Nightlife Executive Director Jeffrey Garcia, the citys so-called nightlife mayor, rather than the NYPD. This appointment comes despite a hiring freeze enacted by Adams across all municipal agencies due to budgetary concerns.
Adams, known for frequenting high-end nightclubs across the city, recalled a disruptive MARCH inspection at a Brooklyn bar where he was socializing while serving as borough president.
Adams and his inner circle have previously clashed with agencies policing the citys nightlife sector. Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Adams chief adviser at City Hall, assisted East Williamsburg club Avant Gardner in resolving issues with the State Liquor Authority after the agency accused the venue of ignoring rampant drug use that resulted in multiple fatal overdoses.
When asked about the Avant Gardner situation earlier this year, Adams suggested that the State Liquor Authority should be barred from operating in the city. Im hoping that eventually well get to the day that the state SLA is handled on a city level, he said.
While Adams decision to abolish the MARCH task force has been welcomed by business owners, some have expressed skepticism. Queens Councilman Robert Holden, a conservative Democrat who typically supports Adams, voiced concern that "eliminating MARCH operations might inadvertently send the wrong message to the scofflaws. More layers of bureaucracy will only prolong the existing quality-of-life issues. I hope this does not backfire."
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