Leonard’s Package Store placed on 90‑day probation with security and signage conditions

The Fall River Licensing Board on Dec. 23 placed Leonard’s Package Store (1331 Pleasant Street) on a 90‑day probation and approved its license renewal after police described repeated problems outside the store, including public intoxication, open containers and fights.

Detective assigned to the neighborhood (Car 6) told the board officers had responded to approximately 26 calls involving the store this year and described footage showing customers drinking in the store and in the parking lot, fights and public urination. Attorney Peter Solino, representing manager Tony Patel, said the owner is prepared to hire private security (Signal Communication) and had posted signage; Solino offered private security at roughly $40 an hour as a good-faith measure.

Board members and police suggested a mix of strategies — clearer signage, periodic police details, limits on particular single-serve products and tighter enforcement of trespass rules — to reduce incidents. The board’s motion requires Leonard’s to implement private security seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the owner’s expense, post visible "no loitering" and "no trespassing" signs, and work with Fall River Police to trespass repeat offenders. The board scheduled a status hearing at its March meeting to review compliance.

The board also approved Leonard’s all-alcohol package store license renewal during the meeting but emphasized the renewal will be assessed against the probation conditions at the March status hearing.