thedrifter
03-01-08, 08:00 AM
Marines lift ban on Ron's Place
Comments | Recommend
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
2008-02-29 21:35:00
A ban that has prohibited Yuma-based Marines from patronizing a local bar for most of the past two months has now been lifted.
According to Marine Corps Air Station spokesman Capt. Rob Dolan, Ron's Place owner Mike Jaj met with base leadership on Feb. 15 and convinced them the bar was a safe place and that he would take additional steps to protect customers.
"The efforts made by Ron's Place indicate a sincere desire for the welfare and safety of its patrons. My primary concern is for the Marines and sailors of Yuma," said Col. Ben Hancock, commander of Marine Corps Air Station, in a prepared statement. "If a local business poses a risk to anyone in my command, I will prohibit military personnel from patronizing the establishment."
The colonel lifted the ban, which allowed Marines and sailors to once again patronize the bar, late last month.
On Jan. 8, Hancock declared the bar off-limits to all air station personnel after a Marine was stabbed repeatedly in the bar’s parking lot Jan. 1.
Previously, Hancock had named Ron’s Place an “area of caution” in August after a shooting in the area was witnessed by a Marine.
Ron's Place manager Carole Coulter said the lifting of the ban comes as good news to the popular establishment, and signifies a return to business as usual.
"We are really happy about it because we do have a lot of Marine and sailor patrons and they have always been a good asset," Coulter said. "I was impressed they took the time to investigate this. We understand any time the base fears for their Marines they have to take these types of steps."
According to Coulter, Hancock actually came by the bar unannounced on a Saturday night to see it first-hand.
Although the ban has been lifted, Dolan said the bar remains an area of caution due to concerns over the lack of lighting and the bar’s limited parking, which forces customers to park along Highway 95 or in the lots of adjacent businesses.
"While we have removed it from the off-limits list, it still remains an area of caution due to continued concerns regarding inadequate lighting and limited parking in and around the establishment," Dolan said. "Visibility becomes a concern for departing vehicles and a center of gravity for crime."
Coulter said Ron's Place probably has some of the toughest security in town, with a high ratio of bouncers to customers. Additionally, doormen verify identification and pat down visitors for weapons.
"We have the most security inside the bar (of) any other establishment in town," Coulter said. "Most of our security is either active-duty or former Marines."
She added about 20 to 30 percent of the bar's business comes from Marines.
Coulter said the bar is also equipped with 48 cameras that record virtually everywhere, inside and out of the establishment, and they keep the footage for about a month and a half.
In addressing the base's concern over lighting and limited parking, Coulter said the bar has added four more security guards outside the establishment's parking lot.
She said they will wear wear bright reflective vests and carry flashlights. Their responsibilities will include escorting customers to their vehicles and guiding them while backing out onto the highway.
"There is a strong presence of security. That will not only keep customers safe, but it will also discourage anything from happening in the future," Coulter said.
Coulter said Ron’s Place has updated its security policy signs to include signs in both English and Spanish text.
The bar has always strived to prevent drunk driving, Coulter said, and in addition to a designated driver program, Ron's Place is planning to offer a free shuttle for patrons, including Marines, to drive them safely home.
"That way people can come here and have a good time and not worry about driving," Coulter said.
Under the bar's designated driver program, people who identify themselves as such to staff will get free soda, water or coffee all night, Coulter said. And if they stay for an hour or longer, the bar will give them three free tacos from the stand outside the establishment and a gift certificate for lunch at a local restaurant.
----
James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
2008-02-29 21:35:00
A ban that has prohibited Yuma-based Marines from patronizing a local bar for most of the past two months has now been lifted.
According to Marine Corps Air Station spokesman Capt. Rob Dolan, Ron's Place owner Mike Jaj met with base leadership on Feb. 15 and convinced them the bar was a safe place and that he would take additional steps to protect customers.
"The efforts made by Ron's Place indicate a sincere desire for the welfare and safety of its patrons. My primary concern is for the Marines and sailors of Yuma," said Col. Ben Hancock, commander of Marine Corps Air Station, in a prepared statement. "If a local business poses a risk to anyone in my command, I will prohibit military personnel from patronizing the establishment."
The colonel lifted the ban, which allowed Marines and sailors to once again patronize the bar, late last month.
On Jan. 8, Hancock declared the bar off-limits to all air station personnel after a Marine was stabbed repeatedly in the bar’s parking lot Jan. 1.
Previously, Hancock had named Ron’s Place an “area of caution” in August after a shooting in the area was witnessed by a Marine.
Ron's Place manager Carole Coulter said the lifting of the ban comes as good news to the popular establishment, and signifies a return to business as usual.
"We are really happy about it because we do have a lot of Marine and sailor patrons and they have always been a good asset," Coulter said. "I was impressed they took the time to investigate this. We understand any time the base fears for their Marines they have to take these types of steps."
According to Coulter, Hancock actually came by the bar unannounced on a Saturday night to see it first-hand.
Although the ban has been lifted, Dolan said the bar remains an area of caution due to concerns over the lack of lighting and the bar’s limited parking, which forces customers to park along Highway 95 or in the lots of adjacent businesses.
"While we have removed it from the off-limits list, it still remains an area of caution due to continued concerns regarding inadequate lighting and limited parking in and around the establishment," Dolan said. "Visibility becomes a concern for departing vehicles and a center of gravity for crime."
Coulter said Ron's Place probably has some of the toughest security in town, with a high ratio of bouncers to customers. Additionally, doormen verify identification and pat down visitors for weapons.
"We have the most security inside the bar (of) any other establishment in town," Coulter said. "Most of our security is either active-duty or former Marines."
She added about 20 to 30 percent of the bar's business comes from Marines.
Coulter said the bar is also equipped with 48 cameras that record virtually everywhere, inside and out of the establishment, and they keep the footage for about a month and a half.
In addressing the base's concern over lighting and limited parking, Coulter said the bar has added four more security guards outside the establishment's parking lot.
She said they will wear wear bright reflective vests and carry flashlights. Their responsibilities will include escorting customers to their vehicles and guiding them while backing out onto the highway.
"There is a strong presence of security. That will not only keep customers safe, but it will also discourage anything from happening in the future," Coulter said.
Coulter said Ron’s Place has updated its security policy signs to include signs in both English and Spanish text.
The bar has always strived to prevent drunk driving, Coulter said, and in addition to a designated driver program, Ron's Place is planning to offer a free shuttle for patrons, including Marines, to drive them safely home.
"That way people can come here and have a good time and not worry about driving," Coulter said.
Under the bar's designated driver program, people who identify themselves as such to staff will get free soda, water or coffee all night, Coulter said. And if they stay for an hour or longer, the bar will give them three free tacos from the stand outside the establishment and a gift certificate for lunch at a local restaurant.
----
James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie