Covington’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board is set to deliberate on the future of Hat Trick Sports Bar’s liquor license at a special meeting scheduled for Thursday. This decision comes in the wake of a serious incident involving a shooting near the bar on May 17, which left a man critically injured.

Community Safety Concerns

The meeting has been convened under ABC regulations to ensure the safe and responsible operation of licensed establishments. The suspect in the shooting, identified as Franklin Smith from Cincinnati, remains at large, with authorities offering a cash reward for information leading to his arrest.

Attorney Patrick Hughes, a specialist in Kentucky alcohol regulation, notes that such hearings are only called after repeated violations or significant community concerns. He cites other instances in the state where similar actions have led to the revocation of licenses or even the closure of establishments.

Precedents and Potential Outcomes

Recent examples include the closure of Diamond Debbie’s in Newport due to a pattern of problematic activities, and the legal action taken against the In Between Tavern in Cincinnati for alleged repeated violent incidents. These cases highlight the serious nature of the ABC Board’s deliberations.

Factors such as noise complaints, parking issues, underage sales, and police calls are considered before taking action. The bar owner will have the opportunity to present their defense during the hearing. Hughes anticipates a stringent outcome if the shooting incident is not an isolated event.

The special meeting will take place at noon on May 28 at Covington City Hall. The city of Covington has declined to comment ahead of the hearing, and attempts to reach the bar owner for comment were unsuccessful.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.