By Howard Koplowitz
A representative for OK Billiard Corp. at 75-16 Rockaway Blvd. in Woodhaven acknowledged that there had been problems at the location in the past but contended there had been no incidents since the current owner took over about two to three years ago.Tom Chiofolo, the co-chairman of CB 9's Public Safety, Consumer Affairs and Transportation Committee Ð the body that initially reviews liquor and beer licenses Ð said “suspicions” of “illegal activity” were reported to the committee, including an “issue with assaults inside (the billiard hall) that may have been drug-related.” But when he reviewed the allegations, Chiofolo said he did not find any convictions or arrests tied to incidents at the hall.The OK Billiard Corp. representative, who did not identify himself other than to say he was not an attorney, said the business would be “willing to hire security to monitor customers” if the beer license was granted.He also said the billiard hall is open to anyone 16 years old and up, but the business would restrict customers to 18 and older if they get the license.CB 9 member Steve Esposito said he was concerned because the billiard hall “is a huge hangout for kids.”He also said there had been drug dealing and prostitution in the vicinity of the hall in the past, but those problems went away following a crackdown by the 102nd Precinct.But the billiard hall representative said the hall has “been pretty quiet for the past couple of years” as he made his case for the beer license.CB 9 member Maria Thomson disagreed with the representative's logic.”It's because of the fact that you don't have a beer license” that the hall is quiet, she said.Chiofolo said another reason the committee opposed the license was because the type of license requested, known as an eating place beer license, requires food to be the main source of revenue in order to get the license.The representative said there is no kitchen on the premises of the billiard hall.CB 9 rejected the request, although no formal tally of votes was read to the public.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
