Город Сиракузы требует отозвать лицензию на работу театра Westcott из-за серии инцидентов с насилием

The City of Syracuse is seeking to revoke the special use permit that allows the Westcott Theater to operate as an indoor entertainment venue, citing a series of fights, shootings, crowd-control problems and other alleged violations. The Syracuse Common Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Wednesday on the proposed revocation of the permit for the theater at 524-532 Westcott St. The hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. at Syracuse City Hall. The city’s Zoning Administrator, Jake Dishaw, submitted a report supporting the revocation. The report says the theater has repeatedly failed to comply with conditions attached to its 2008 special use permit and that the problems have negatively affected the surrounding neighborhood. The report details several incidents at or near the theater dating back to March 2025. PREVIOUS | Westcott Theater manager charged after police shut down unpermitted event In May 2025, police responded to reports of shots fired outside the theater. Officers found 25 shell casings in nearby areas, and the report says two buildings and three vehicles were struck by gunfire. The report also cites a Halloween party in October 2025 where police helped manage a large crowd after the theater initially stopped letting people inside. Officers reported large amounts of empty alcohol containers and food wrappers scattered along Westcott Street and nearby sidewalks. Police were again called to help disperse crowds in May and June 2026. Following a sold-out July 3, 2026, Skilla Baby concert, police reported a fight involving two women outside the theater. The fight drew a crowd of about 20 to 30 people and spilled into the street. The city’s report says the theater also had 10 uniformed security guards that night, two fewer than required. The most serious incident cited in the report happened Aug. 1, when two people were stabbed inside the theater. According to the city’s report, one victim suffered a stab wound to his lower back and a cut to his wrist, while the second was stabbed in the abdomen. Police later found blood on the theater’s lobby floor that appeared to have been mopped before officers arrived. The report says theater staff told police they were unaware anyone had been stabbed and had not contacted police. The city says revoking the 2008 permit would not permanently prevent the property from operating. According to the report, a future applicant could seek a new special use permit for indoor entertainment and recreation. The property could also operate under other uses allowed in its current MX-2 zoning district. The city is asking the Common Council to revoke the existing permit, arguing the theater has repeatedly failed to meet its conditions and has become a detriment to the surrounding neighborhood. Trending US military service member becomes citizen: 'I want to enjoy America' A dozen people from 11 countries became United States citizens Thursday during a naturalization ceremony. Man dies in shooting on South Alvord Street, Syracuse Police say A 21-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday evening at a home on 100 block of South Alvord Street in Syracuse. A minor threat for major wind gusts in thunderstorms late Sunday SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Feeling more humid with rain overnight then hit or miss gusty storms Sunday Our attention now is focused on the rain working in tonight from a new area of low pressure located to our south and west. Syracuse vigil calls for release of father held in federal immigration detention Songs and signs filled the air at a vigil in Syracuse as supporters rallied behind Carlos Arreaga, a local worker and father who has been held in federal immigr NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local "