An illegal after-hours watering hole was shuttered by Alliance police during a raid that saw 50 people ejected, a plethora of booze confiscated, a dozen firearms discovered, and four people arrested. According to Cleveland19, the undercover establishment was operating at 40 N. Park Ave. out of its league, engaging in unauthorized alcohol sales, staying open until the early hours, sometimes until 5 a.m., drug offenses, underage drinking, weapons offenses, among other community disturbances. The raid, held at around 1 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, was a coordinated effort between the Alliance Police Department and the Special Response Team.
Underneath benches, behind the bar, and inside trash cans, a total of 12 firearms—including semi-automatic pistols, AR-15s, and a semi-automatic shotgun—were found concealed, as per information provided by the Canton Repository. The bust was a culmination of community tips and grievances about the site that hinted at the illicit endeavors taking place within its confines.
The arraigned individuals face an array of charges, ranging from existing arrest warrants, drug possession, to operating an illegal liquor business. There was also mention of "generators powering lights and televisions on extension cords and extensive structural damage to the ceiling," which was painted as part of the operation’s slapdash infrastructure by Cleveland19. The Alliance Police's commendable work was aided significantly by local informants, whose tips were critical in the investigation leading up to the raid and served as a stark reminder of the potential hazards such venues pose to public safety.
Before the bust, the location had a previous life as Shaffer's Diner, a detail disclosed by the Alliance Police Department in a Facebook post reported by WKYC. In light of the incident, the Alliance Police Department encourages residents to report suspicious activities, underscoring their commitment, as the Alliance PD highlighted, to maintaining a safe community in Alliance. Tips can be shared anonymously with the Alliance police online, as community vigilance remains a vital aspect of neighborhood security.
