Police: No Major Incidents At Maspeth Venue
Few problems were officially reported by police during the Knockdown Center’s first major concert in Maspeth last Friday night, May 9.
About 3,000 came out to the former glass factory-turnedentertainment venue at 52-19 Flushing Ave. to see international rap artist M.I.A. take the stage. She was originally scheduled to perform two concerts last week, but the first show-scheduled for last Thursday, May 8-was cancelled.
Promoters scrapped the May 8 concert after the State Liquor Authority (SLA) denied temporary liquor permits to the Knockdown Center’s operator-DMI Inc., led by David Sklar-for the M.I.A. concerts. As reported in last week’s paper, the SLA also turned down a full-fledged liquor permit for the facility.
Law enforcement sources said “there were no incidents inside the location at all,” although there was increased traffic outside of the location. The 104th Precinct reportedly issued summonses to patrons for alcohol consumption and arrested five individuals found to have outstanding warrants.
Various posts on Twitter regarding the concert indicated there may have been some drug use at the concert. One individual reported “blunts were in heavy rotation last night #knockdowncenter,” and another reportedly witnessed “close call accidents last night. Drugs. No water. Poor control. No exit.”
Even so, police did not report any major arrests or disturbances related to the concert. After the show ended at about midnight, there was a large procession of thousands walking along Flushing Avenue a mile into Bushwick to the Jefferson Street L train station. Police reportedly escorted the procession along its way.
The Jefferson Street station is the closest subway stop to the Knockdown Center.
“Certainly that number of people has the potential to cause great problems in the community” for future events, cautioned Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano in an interview with the Times Newsweekly on Tuesday, May 13. He suggested opposition by the board and local elected officials to the Knockdown Center’s liquor license applications played a role in keeping trouble at bay.
“If it wasn’t for our vigilance and the vigilance of State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan [and others], they (the owners and operators of Knockdown Center), in my opinion, might not have been as attentive to the security needs,” Giordano said.
The district manager mentioned a number of complaints were made in the past regarding noise emanating from the Knockdown Center. He suggested that management take further soundproofing measures prior to future concerts.
Another music show is scheduled at the Knockdown Center tomorrow night, Friday, May 16. The facility will play host to the Red Bull Music Academy, which is described online as “a sampling of the most extreme recording artists in metal, techno, jazz, classical, noise, hip hop and beyond.”
