Paterson police task force shuts down 5 illegal after-hours clubs

PATERSON — City police say they shut down five illegal after-hours clubs last weekend in the first deployment of Paterson’s new Nightlife Task Force.

The operation also resulted in the arrests of seven people on drug charges, violations being issued against four city liquor stores, and police dispersing a pop-up party at a gas station on 21st Avenue, authorities said.

Paterson Police Officer In Charge Isa Abbassi announced the creation of the task force targeting illegal clubs last month.

“These places are hotbeds for illegal alcohol sales, violent crime, drug and human trafficking, and gambling,” the Police Department said about the weekend crackdown. “By acting against them, PPD is improving public safety and addressing quality-of-life issues citywide.”

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The illegal clubs were at 322 Market St. in the 5th Ward, 61 Main St. in the 1st Ward, 14 East Railway Ave. in the 6th Ward, 264 16th Ave. in the 5th Ward, and 25 California Ave. in the 6th Ward, police said. The clubs allegedly were operating out of storefronts or warehouse-like commercial buildings.

The liquor stores facing penalties for violations of alcohol-beverage laws are on Main Street and Belmont, Park and Union avenues.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ police task force shuts down 5 illegal after-hours clubs