The owner of a local bar called out practices surrounding recent enforcement measures against underage drinking in Downtown Binghamton.

Lawrence P. Shea, co-owner of Tom and Marty’s, spoke with Pipe Dream about the police raids taking place in bars frequented by Binghamton University students. Shea voiced concerns about student safety and public health, advocating for a more preventative approach to the use of fake IDs and underage alcohol consumption.

“Binghamton University, with the city, has concerns with underage drinking, as they should,” Shea said. “That said, whenever I see it not being framed as a safety issue first, whenever I see it becoming punitive towards students, as if the problems of downtown, the city of Binghamton, but particularly downtown, is being blamed on the students, it’s concerning.”

In March, the Binghamton Police Department began visiting local bars to advise owners and managers about their obligation to enforce laws against underage drinking. According to Binghamton chief of police John C. Ryan, officers advised the bars “that there’s been some issues with underage drinking incidents” and other alcohol-related problems including fights and disturbances in Downtown Binghamton. There were also multiple reports of high school students drinking in the bars.

Shea explained that the police initiative was originally in response to the reports of younger children drinking in bars during the summer months. However, he said it has mostly been BU students receiving tickets and getting arrested.

“Instead of targeting the bars, specifically, that have complaints about high school students, it just seems to be falling on BU students,” Shea said. “So again, you guys are held accountable. You absolutely have to obey the letter of the law. But from a preventative measure, from a deterrent measure, again, I just don’t see it.”

Shea went on to explain that when the enforcement raids take place, multiple officers come in at once, often wearing tactical gear. He said that the show of force is intimidating for students, making them feel as though they are the “enemy.”

Shea also talked about the importance of BU students to the Binghamton area. He called the targeting of BU students “tremendously unfair,” especially given that, to him, students’ presence has helped revitalize Downtown.

“Downtown and the students have been going so good, and this is exactly how you taint it,” Shea said. “And the students are going to treat us, not me specifically, but just the city as the enemy. And that should not be the case.”

Shea also expressed that he wants to form a more collaborative relationship between the University, the city, the police department and downtown establishments to implement more preventive public safety measures. Shea said that he met with Mayor Jared Kraham earlier this week to discuss having regular meetings with all relevant parties to encourage transparency.

Shea explained that there is not enough public information available to students about when law enforcement can intervene, specifically that carrying an open container of alcohol in public is a ticketable offense.

“I don’t see public information out,” Shea said. “I don’t see the University, the city, working with student groups just to create awareness, and most importantly, safety.”

Shea mentioned that the relationship between the students, the city and Downtown has deteriorated in recent years. He hopes that building that relationship back up will help keep students and the city safe.

In the meantime, Shea said that he is taking measures to address the issues of fake IDs and underage drinking. He explained that he is hoping to implement a requirement for a second form of identification to enter his establishment.

Shea emphasized that student safety is his first priority and he feels that the city’s resources are not being used in the right manner.

“We’re talking seven cops every weekend night coming into these bars,” Shea said. “That is a lot of resources used, and when there’s been public safety concerns Downtown, why aren’t they out there too? You know what I mean? So yes, use them on us, but there’s a lot of other stuff. Use the resources in a balance. Solve problems, not just create headlines; and that’s what I feel is being done right now.”