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Montrose bar owner complains to council about deputies parking near his business; mayor to raise issue with sheriff
Summary
Local bar owner Greg Anderson told the council that deputies repeatedly park with lights facing his bar, which he says has driven away customers and cost him sales; the mayor said he will raise the complaint with the patrol sergeant and the sheriff's office.
Greg Anderson, a Montrose bar owner, used the public-comment period at the April 13 council meeting to ask council to address what he described as frequent sheriff’s patrol activity near his business that he says has hurt sales and created a perception problem.
Anderson told the council that over the past four months his bartenders had been pulled over and sobriety tests had been administered in freezing temperatures and that his business has lost customers. "My sales are down $21,000 for the month because nobody comes in for lunch anymore," he said, adding that deputies have parked with their lights facing the building and customers feel surveilled. Anderson asked the council to request that deputies avoid sitting with lights pointed at the establishment during the night.
Mayor Sam Solaris acknowledged prior conversations between Anderson and local deputies and told Anderson he would bring the concern to the patrol sergeant and the sheriff. "I'll bring this — I'll bring this concern to you," the mayor said, and later confirmed the city had scheduled a meeting with the patrol sergeant.
Council did not take formal action during the meeting; the mayor and staff said they would raise the issue with Wright County law enforcement leaders.
Provenance: the exchange occurred during public comment near the middle of the meeting.
