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Neighbors urge action as club patrons spill into streets; council, police promise follow-up
Summary
Residents around the Hungarian Club told council they are frightened by late-night crowds, noise, public urination and property damage. Speakers presented a petition and asked for enforcement. Police and borough leaders said they would pursue liquor-control enforcement, increase patrol presence overnight and explore additional measures.
Residents from several streets near the Hungarian Club delivered a petition and urged borough officials to act after repeated late-night crowds at the private club, saying patrons park across neighborhoods, leave trash and sometimes fight or discharge firearms.
"We're in fear for our life," said resident Renee Yelston, who identified herself as living on Munn Street and said she had collected a petition. She described noise, public urination and property damage and asked the borough to intervene.
Other neighbors described blocked driveways, property damage and safety concerns. "They fill up all the entire streets," said Zach Brown of 82 Main Street, describing crowds that linger into the early morning hours. Several speakers said some patrons continued to congregate near cars and in yards after bars elsewhere in town closed.
Residents said some callers hesitate to contact police out of fear of retaliation. Police staff and council members urged residents to call 911 or to submit anonymous reports to get officers to the area more quickly. One resident praised Officer Terry for recent night patrols.
Borough officials acknowledged long-standing problems at the site and said they would pursue multiple lines of action. The police chief said he would try to increase patrol presence in the 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. period and that liquor-control enforcement (the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board) would also be engaged; borough staff warned the LCB is short-staffed and that remedies may take time. Council indicated it would explore possible barricades, a street-closure permitting process and discussions with the club’s owners about noise mitigation, such as double-door entryways.
The meeting did not include a council vote to close or revoke the club's license. Council members and staff said they would coordinate law enforcement presence with liquor-control authorities and follow up with the club’s management to try to reduce off-site impacts.
Discussion vs. decision: the council heard public comment (discussion) and directed staff and police to pursue enforcement and coordination with the Liquor Control Board and with the club; no formal punitive action or license revocation was taken at the Sept. 16 meeting.
