Kenosha committee hears police concerns about Saddlehorn Saloon; owner outlines crowd-control steps
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Summary
At Item 24, Kenosha police and Saddlehorn Saloon representatives described repeated tavern incidents and steps the venue has implemented — including staff changes, camera upgrades and ID restrictions — to reduce disorderly crowds that have drawn police responses.
Kenosha police officials and representatives from Saddlehorn Saloon appeared before the Committee on Licenses and Permits June 9 to discuss a series of tavern incidents that have required police responses. Committee members received the update and accepted the establishment’s written measures on file.
Lieutenant Galley of the Kenosha Police Department’s tavern unit summarized the department’s concerns: larger, sometimes disorderly crowds that spill outside the premises and draw sizable police responses. The tavern unit described recurring weekends of problems and emphasized the need for the licensee to take proactive steps and to coordinate with police when incidents occur.
Attorney Michael McTernan represented the business at the meeting; manager Shania Bransley and owner representative Matt Berg described the operational changes the establishment has put in place. Bransley outlined a set of measures the business says it has implemented to reduce problems: restricting admittance for out‑of‑state IDs unless accompanied by a local college ID, instituting no re‑entry after 1:30 a.m., banning backpacks larger than a small bag, replacing a bouncer who was not following protocol and adding two security staff (one for each room). She also said staff use headsets to communicate and wear high‑visibility shirts when working the floor.
Bransley told the committee they upgraded cameras and now have about 12 cameras with zoom and playback capability; she said retention was set at 10 days. Committee members and police representatives responded that a 10‑day retention is light and suggested increasing retention to meet the city’s standard (discussed at the meeting as longer retention, with one attendee noting a 90‑day standard used in prior discussions). Bransley agreed to work with the city to increase retention time.
Committee members said they welcomed the establishment’s proactive steps and asked for evidence of patterns and continued communication with the tavern unit. Ald. Harper praised the approach of prioritizing local patrons and the proactive measures. Ald. Seal asked whether out‑of‑state patrons were the main draw; Bransley said the business had observed drive‑by interest when windows show a busy crowd, and that patrons often concentrate downtown as the night progresses.
Lieutenant Galley and other tavern unit officers said they will continue routine patrols around problem areas and encouraged licensees to call police promptly whenever there is an incident rather than waiting for the next meeting.
The committee received the item and placed the establishment’s update on file by voice vote.
