If you’re going to Lower Greenville this weekend, dress cute and don’t do anything embarrassing. Don’t do anything illegal either, but that goes without saying.
You could be filmed. Police will likely be out this weekend with cameras patrolling the area and filming the goings on of partiers as they leave local bars and entertainment venues. They are hoping to catch some of the more drunk and boisterous revelers in the act of behaving like drunk people.
The idea originated from a cantankerous resident of the area, Avi Adelman, who has spent many a weekend in recent years videotaping outside of clubs and bars in the district.
Last weekend, the inevitable finally happened to the brave soul who would walk around lower Greenville in the wee hours of the morning with a video camera: he got in a scuffle with one of the subjects of his film. Avi was charged with a misdemeanor assault.
The incident caused the police department to rethink their strategy in the area. Now they are considering sending some of their own to film the district this weekend to discourage private citizens from taking up the cause.
They say they also want to use the videos to help owners see what is going on outside of their establishments and the effects of over-serving alcohol.
It seems as though it would only take one really good video to accomplish this goal, making it confusing as to why police are going to be out filming people doing illegal things rather than arresting them. Also, while having a middle-aged dude walking around with a camera is quirky, how having a uniformed police officer with a video camera at your party is going to help business in an entertainment district is also in question.
Holly LaFon has written and worked for various local publications including D Magazine and Examiner.
