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New Hampshire gangs a bad mix with alcohol at bars

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Citizen complaints about aggressive and violent gang activity in bars and restaurants are soaring as New Hampshire authorities keep an eye on what they see as a troubling -- and growing -- trend across the state of New Hampshire.

Eddie Edwards, chief of enforcement for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, said until 2004, his office investigated on average one licensed establishment a year for allegations of unlawful gang activity.

Now there are about a dozen investigations a year, Edwards said.

Five years ago, his office received only a handful of citizen complaints regarding gang activity at liquor-licensed establishments in New Hampshire. Now it is averaging 200 complaints a year, he said.

"These are what we would consider complaints, concerns or information about gang activities at bars and restaurants," Edwards said.

Complaints include allegations about suspected gang members involving assaults, intimidation and harassment. Or worse on occasion, Edwards said, when shootings or assaults take place in or near the licensed premises.

The Liquor Commission's division of enforcement opened an investigation last week into TJ's Sports Bar, 21 Central St., Manchester, New Hampshire, after a man was shot five times late last Sunday on a bar patio.

Edwards said his investigation is in conjunction with the Manchester police probe of the shooting of Jesse Michaud, 29, of Goffstown Road, who survived the incident.

Edwards' office focuses on education to New Hampshire's 900 licensed establishments, and on possible liquor law violations, while local law enforcement agencies conduct the criminal probe, he said.

"This is not about motorcycle clubs. This is about organized illegal outlaw gangs," he said.

His unit focuses on whether incidents involve over-service of alcohol, disorderly conduct on the premises, whether there was establishment involvement, or whether organized outlaw gang activity was involved, or hidden ownership, Edwards said.

"If you had members of street gangs like the Bloods or the Crips and they were being hosted, catered or taken care of, or if that behavior became threatening or violent to other patrons or the owner, that's when it becomes a concern. It certainly has an impact on their license," Edwards said.

Manchester Police Capt. Gerald Lessard said none of Michaud's vital organs was hit in the 11:30 p.m. shooting last Sunday, and his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Lessard said TJ's Sports Bar is frequented by people associated with motorcycle gangs, but he didn't think the shooting was gang-related. Attempts to reach the bar owner were unsuccessful.

"We are aware that some individuals who frequent that bar may have ties to motorcycle clubs," Lessard said, adding police are tracking down leads, but have made no arrests.

"(Michaud) got medical attention very quick. He's a lucky man," Lessard said.