MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons and Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin announced Monday that police had secured and padlocked a Hickory Hill night club that police have been called to more than 150 times over the past 10 months for an overwhelming number of serious and sometimes violent incidents.
The District Attorney’s Office last Friday filed a public nuisance action against the owners and operators of the Visions Sports Bar and Grill, also known as “Club Visions.” The nuisance action was filed against “Club Visions,” located at 3684 Ridgeway Road, after a Memphis police investigation prompted by numerous complaints from citizens and nearby businesses.
The club was secured and padlocked during the early morning hours of Monday, July 19. Approximately 800 patrons were present when Memphis police arrived to secure the premises. Undercover officers had made four additional purchases of marijuana earlier in the evening. A number of patrons were arrested based on outstanding warrants against them.
Environmental Court Judge Larry Potter ordered “Club Visions” temporarily closed and secured.
The judge ordered the owners and operators to court for a hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 21 to answer to the allegations in the petition.
The investigation by the Memphis Police Department included three major components: a record of numerous criminal incidents and disturbances at the club over the past year; an undercover vice operation to observe activity inside the club; and an operation by the Memphis Police Department’s Undercover Operations Unit in which undercover officers not only observed criminal and nuisance activity inside the club, but also purchased narcotics from individuals inside the club.
The following specifics were outlined in the petition filed in this case:
- Between September 7, 2009 and July 4, 2010, officers have been called to “Club Visions” at least 179 times. The calls included shootings, stabbings, other types of wounds, robberies and fights.
- Officers have arrested 73 people at the club for numerous violent and drug-related crimes.
- Memphis Police Department’s undercover unit visited the club on numerous occasions and each time noticed the pervasive odor of marijuana and observed individuals throughout “Club Visions” smoking and preparing marijuana for smoking throughout the club. Officers observed this activity in front of security and other club personnel. In all, officers observed at least 166 individuals within the club either smoking or rolling marijuana. On several occasions, undercover officers purchased marijuana from individuals inside the club.
- Undercover officers have observed open congregation of apparent gang members on the club’s stage. This included the displaying of gang “colors.”
- The club hosts a weekly “female boxing” event that is unlicensed despite requirements by the Tennessee Athletic Commission and other relevant agencies. Undercover officers have witnessed this event which devolved into a public sexual display with patrons throwing money on the stage. It also turned into a crowd-involved fight.
“We contend this club is a danger to the community,” said District Attorney Bill Gibbons. “From violence, to rampant drug use, to large unruly crowds, ‘Club Visions’ is clearly a public nuisance and needs to be closed,” Gibbons stressed.
Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin stated, "There are responsibilities that accompany the ownership and management of an establishment such as Club Visions. The Memphis Police Department and District Attorney’s Office will continue to ensure that these responsibilities are fulfilled. Businesses will be held accountable for the environment which they create, encourage and promote.
“Establishments which accommodate behavior which threatens the well being of our communities and endangers society will not be tolerated. The men and women of the MPD will continue to fight for their community. The work of Memphis’ Finest is the primary cause for the drastic reduction in crime in Memphis over the last four years."
Tennessee law states that the District Attorney General has authority to bring a civil action against any establishment deemed a nuisance. The statute defines a nuisance, in part, as “any place in or upon which… unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or other controlled substance…quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting, or breaches of the peace are carried on or permitted.”
The D.A.’s Office, working with investigations by the Memphis Police Department and as part of Operation Blue CRUSH™, has filed nuisance petitions against the owners of more than 200 properties, both residential and businesses, under the Tennessee nuisance law. Some nuisance actions have resulted in permanent closure of the properties. Others have reopened under consent orders to alleviate the nuisance.