Bar Provides Drinks With Lids After Alleged Drugging Stories

A Staten Island bar announced Tuesday that it would implement safety measures such as lidded cups after women alleged they had been drugged at the venue.

In a since-deleted Twitter post, a woman claimed that her drink had been spiked at the G.O.A.T over the weekend, prompting similar stories from other female patrons, according to a published report.

“Late Sunday night, someone had texted me a Twitter screenshot, and I tried to gather any information I could,” said bar owner Chris Shaleesh. “The following morning I went to the police to try to figure out what exactly was going on, but there wasn’t really much they could do because they didn’t have any reports.”

Shaleesh said that he has been working with the NYPD every day since in order to address the issue.

“Safeguard your drinks!” Staten Island NYPD said in a tweet Monday. “If you observe any suspicious activity or anyone tampering with drinks, please call 911 and alert staff immediately.”

Shaleesh noted that even though they already have a large security staff and sixteen HD cameras, he wants to do more to protect his customers.

“We’re going to have plainclothes security officers. They might look like they’re dancing and drinking with friends, but they’re not,” he said. “We’re also going to be using lids on all of our mixed drinks.”

Shaleesh said that community reaction to these changes have been overall “positive.”

“People realize that we’re taking this matter extremely seriously,” he said. “We’re trying raise awareness for other bar owners, not only in Staten Island, not only in New York, but across the world.”

Photo Credit: Chris Shaleesh

from NBC New York - Top Stories http://bit.ly/2HYDvL5