The Pearl DARTed by COJ / JSO

[David]

Did anyone else get an email back regarding the DART program? I wrote them on Saturday when the uproar was still fresh. I just inquired about the basics of the program and how they go about their routine...(with a few jabs about how they're helping us remain a national laughing stock)

Here's what I got today:

Mr. Robertson,
The Mayor’s Office has requested that I respond to your inquiry regarding the DART inspection of the business known as The Pearl.
As background information, the Jacksonville Drug Abatement Response Team (DART), a collaborative effort of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Office of General Counsel, the Building Inspections Division, the Fire/Rescue Department and the Municipal Code Compliance Division, was established in 1996 to combat illegal drugs in Jacksonville by supplementing the traditional approach to solving the drug problem by focusing on properties where drug activities are suspected. 
The Pearl was inspected to address concerns of suspected underage drinking and narcotics being sold/used at the club.  Of major concern at the time of inspection was the number of patrons present and the limited egress from the building.  In addition, multiple code violations, particularly electrical issues, were found by the Building Inspections Division and the Fire/Rescue Department.
In answer to your question, this establishment can reopen for business as soon as all violations cited are corrected which will ensure the safety and well being of all its patrons. 
If I can provide additional information please advise.

Derek D. Igou
Deputy Director
Environmental and Compliance Department

Nothing new there.

If they've been watching the place for weeks and suspect drug use/underage drinking, what defense does the Pearl or any business for that matter have? They can just go around saying ::red foreman voice::"yep, we suspected you weird artsy types are dope'n it up at your dopehead clubs with your dopehead friends"

We know there's far more drug use at other places, but like I said..what defense do you have against this? I'd like to see the documented evidence they have that justifed it in the first place.

[jbm32206]

I also pointed out about the insurance companies in relation to teenagers, but yet people only seem to be worried about kids being able to drink and who gives a damn if they end up having to pay triple what most others have to pay for car insurance....guess I see this as a different view on priorities.

you've lost me, right now kids under 18 cannot drink and they do pay 3x more for car insurance, what is your point?

I thought that seemed rather clear...my point is that teenagers are treated differently and not just by the legal age to drink.

[jbm32206]

Nothing new there.

If they've been watching the place for weeks and suspect drug use/underage drinking, what defense does the Pearl or any business for that matter have? They can just go around saying ::red foreman voice::"yep, we suspected you weird artsy types are dope'n it up at your dopehead clubs with your dopehead friends"

We know there's far more drug use at other places, but like I said..what defense do you have against this? I'd like to see the documented evidence they have that justifed it in the first place.

Didn't they initially say they had received complaints...so I would assume that was their justification.

[stephendare]

needs more evidence than all that, i think.

I just got an email from someone over on the fourth floor, from a private email address complaining about all the g''%*damm emails that theyve gotten on the subject.

Awesome.

We have their attention.

Keep it up, gentle readers.

[jbm32206]

I really don't believe they do, it's not like a search warrant.

I think it's cool though that city hall has been getting a lot of feedback from all of this and hopefully something positive will come of all of this.

[David]

Well that's why I’m asking. I wasn't sure.

If a complaint is all it takes, without having any solid evidence, let's report the cokeheads on Bay street!

Not really, but it's obvious nothing's really going to change this process. The more I understand the legalities behind it, the more I realize club owners will just have to keep their slate  insanely clean. Controlling what the patrons do however, that's another thing.
 
From what I’ve heard, it doesn't look like the Pearl will be shut down for 3 months. So at least there's a bright side.

[jbm32206]

They're supposed to be open by the weekend, from what I've heard...

[cracklow]

I thought they were back open as of today?

[jbm32206]

They might be....haven't been by to know for sure

[jacksonvilleconfidential]

CONFIRMED VIA PEARL MYSPACE BULLETIN - They are open tonight!

[Steve]

Great to hear they are back open - good for them.

The code enforcement thing is actually the most laughable to me - if there was a potential code enforcement issue, couldn't it have been handled during the day?

[apvbguy]

Great to hear they are back open - good for them.

The code enforcement thing is actually the most laughable to me - if there was a potential code enforcement issue, couldn't it have been handled during the day?

it should have been addressed before they were allowed to open

[David]

Great! I was afraid at first that they would be shut down for an extended period of time like TSI. I know the violations against TSI were more serious but I still don't understand why it took them so long to open back up.  I'd like to think community pressure sped things up, buy maybe Pearl just took care of the violations a bit more quickly. Either way the responses I got back from the city were pretty civil.  I'm still very curious about the what warrants DART to go in to a place though, if they need drug evidence or if a complaint and general suspicion will suffice. I'll see if they respond back to that inqury....

Oh yea, one other thing:

Do your drugs BEFORE entering the club people, c'mon! Don't F things up for the rest of us

Kidding of course.

[AlexS]

In Europe they allow drinking at age 18 but have very strict drunk driving laws and good mass transit.  Maybe this is the answer.

Actually the legal drinking age for soft liquor (beer, wine) is 16 years and hard liqour is 18 years. When with your parents even earlier than that.

[fsujax]

I saw the Pearl lit up last night. Good to see them back.