Seattle Police Raid Gay Bars over ‘Lewd Conduct’

SEATTLE, WA — (02-01-24) — Police raid four Gay bar venues last weekend that resulted in patrons being cited for alleged ‘Lewd Conduct’ violations. This action incited anger and fear among patrons and employees of all four LGBTQ+ nightlife locations.

Over the weekend, law enforcement officers from Seattle Police, fire, and LCB officials did not find any alcohol-related offenses at the LGBTQ+ bars and clubs they inspected. However several officers told managers at three of the nightclubs — Neighbours, The Cuff Complex and The Seattle Eagle — that they observed lewd conduct violations. No violations were found at the Lumber Yard Bar in White Center.

According to officers on scene, they said they observed several customers wearing jockstraps and in one case, a bartender’s exposed nipple.

Reacting to the LGBTQ+ community’s outrage, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) took up the issue during their regularly scheduled Tuesday board meeting. David Postman, the board’s chairman, initiated the discussion on the raids, acknowledging the community’s concern and confirming that questions need to be answered.

David Postman said…“We’re also well aware of the history of law enforcement interaction with patrons of these clubs and understand, I think it was described yesterday in one of the statements, as generational trauma around that.”

Postman attempted to explain that the weekend police raids were part of standard enforcement action taken by the Joint Enforcement Team (JET), which include Seattle Police, fire, and LCB officials.

“These were not raids,” said Postman. “I’ll tell you the LCB, at times, does participate and conduct raids where we get warrants, seize evidence, and come in with large groups of people. That’s not what these were.” said Postman.

“The board has not issued any formal citations related to the lewd conduct citations” said LCB spokesperson Brian Smith on Tuesday. “Typically, officers will inform the manager on site that they have witnessed a violation, and then later decide whether to issue a warning or citation.” said Smith.

A Seattle police spokesperson told JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics that the department could not comment because an Office of Police Accountability complaint had been filed.

We will continue to follow this story and bring you developments as they arise.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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