Pizza Joint’s Liquor License in Jeopardy Because of Violence

According to the New Haven Register, Odell Cooper's son, Jonathan was killed outside of the Slyce Pizza Bar in Hamden this past April, and she's looking for justice. The truth is there's been numerous shootings in that same area, especially on Arch Street, which is why a consortium of local leaders are calling on the state Liquor Commission to not renew the restaurant's liquor permit.

Police Chief Thomas Wydra told the New Haven Register:

We're not talking about one incident, we are not talking about an anomaly. We are talking about many, many incidents, at least five shootings and other assaults and robberies.

Hamden Mayor, Curt Balzano Leng, alluded to some residents saying that violence was to be expected in this community. He said that kind of thinking is a disgrace and an outrage, and has urged the state not to renew the restaurant's liquor permit. The restaurant's co-owner, Fazlay Rabbi, claims that they are being unfairly blamed for the violence in the neighborhood and told NBC Connecticut that his business offered a $5 pizza deal, and would suffer without a liquor license.

Rabbi went on to explain to the New Haven Register,

On this corner there are liquor stores and parking lots and all the problems are mine? They all drink on the corner and shoot each other!

Rabbi said he was not doing anything illegal and his prices were fair, and not to mention he was not in violation of the Liquor Commission or his liquor license.

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