East Side Hospitality Association Highlights Cooporation Between City and Taverns

Since its formation in late 2007, East Side Hospitality has forged a unique relationship between neighborhood prosecutor and tavern owners in North East Los Angeles.

Its 2:ooPM Tuesday, as Donna Wong calls to order the fall meeting of the East Side Hospitality Association, a loose confederation of bars and nightclubs from East Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park. Wong, a deputy city attorney who serves as the Neighborhood Prosecutor from the LAPD's North East Division, is the group's founder and chairwoman. This is the fourth meeting of East Side Hospitality this year. This afternoon, the meeting is held on the dance floor of The Echo nightclub in Echo Park.

She stands at the front of a mostly male audience made up of bar managers, doormen , and bouncers. There is food, soft drinks and handouts to go around. The theme of today's gathering is bar and nightclub security. A nuts and bolts presentation of how to's and don'ts co-presented by Wong and veteran Rampart senior lead officer Louis Ford . She speaks not as a lecturer , but as Donna, a friendly and informative guide to city departments and officials relevant to the proprietors of LA's nightlife.The message of today's presentation is simple and to the point; it is in every one's best interest to turn away unruly patrons peacefully than rather than by trading punches. As Donna explains, " We, (in the City Attorney's Office), will have a much more difficult time filing against the guy who starts trouble in your club if he turns up with a black eye." Its a message that her audience listens to carefully.

In the previous three meetings of East Side Hospitality, Donna Wong has facilitated get togethers between city officials and tavern owners at venues such as the Echo, in the early afternoons before opening time. The meetings are designed to give business people the opportunity to ask questions and to develop strategies to help avoid endemic problems such as noise complaints from neighbors.

In regard to the noise issue itself, Donna Wong observed at the August meeting, that outdoor patio seating is often the "Achilles Heel" of restaurateurs especially if the area had not been disclosed as part of the initial permit approval process.
The best advice is sometimes served with lunch.

For more information about the East Side Hospitality Association please contact Donna Wong at 213.847.8045 or donna.wong@lacity.org

dw