East Cleveland police have now turned to Facebook to issue a warning to nightclub owners, follow the rules or face the consequences.
The East Cleveland Police Facebook post includes cell phone video investigators said shows a fight at Stumpie's, a private club located on Euclid Avenue.
Police issued the following warning to Stumpie's management:
"The East Cleveland Police Department would like to let Stumpie's know that we will be at this week's party. We will be shutting down the party due to the number of fights and the business has failed to apply or receive an occupancy permit."
East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton and Councilman Nathaniel Martin also expressed their concerns with Prive Ultra Lounge, also located on Euclid Avenue.
Martin told newnet5.com the club stays open past state curfew, and creates too much noise and litter.
"This has been going on for months, for months," said Martin.
"If our police are over-burdened, let the Sheriff come in, they shut these places down. Send somebody undercover, I want to know what the hell is going on in there at 4 and 5 in the morning."
Mayor Norton said he is working with his law and building and housing departments to determine if the clubs are violating any occupancy permits or safety codes.
Martin said residents and other business owners have filed complaints, and he's hoping police will step-up surveillance at the nightspots.
"Close at a reasonable time, which is 2:30," said Martin. "And if you've got anything else going on past 3 o'clock, we have a problem with that."
Calls to Prive ownership and management were not answered or returned.
