Photo: QueensPost
May 1, 2013 By Christian Murray
Residents from six buildings on 39th Place attended the police precinct 108 meeting Tuesday night to vent their frustrations about a nightclub located on the corner of their block and Queens Blvd.
About 20 residents claimed that the patrons of Xio Lounge (39-19 Queens Blvd. ) walk down their block and then enter into their back courtyards to smoke pot. They said that the problem occurs during the daylight hours on Saturdays and Sundays—since the club promotes 10 am events on weekends.
One man whose apartment overlooks the back courtyard said that he counted 50 people from the club congregating in that space smoking pot one Saturday. He said that he had to close his windows since the smell is so strong.
Entrance to Courtyard (Photo: QueensPost)
Others complained about men urinating in the back of their courtyard, while others said that when the men were asked to leave they looked ready for a fight.
One man said that he had witnessed oral sex take place outside the establishment, while another spoke about sex taking place on a car.
“I have called 311 and 911 about 30 times,” one woman said, who didn’t want to reveal her name. “They drink, do drugs and then go back into the club.”
The owner of Xio, Elvis Padron, attended the meeting and told the residents, “We have never had any problems” and that his establishment was just like any other. However, he provided the residents with his cell phone number in case of any future problems.
One woman said she was afraid to take her garbage out on weekends due to the men. Furthermore, she didn’t feel comfortable going past the club with her stroller during the daylight hours on weekends.
Deputy Inspector Powers, who held his final police precinct meeting last night before leaving to go to Manhattan North, said the precinct will get to the bottom of it. He said the police are able to work with the state liquor authority, fire department and host of other agencies to make sure the club operates in an appropriate manner. He said, “We have closed bars down before.”
