St. Augustine business owner Scott York raised alarms at Monday’s City Commission meeting about “absolutely shocking” behavior he witnessed over two weekend nights near the Bourbon Street Bar on Hypolita Street.
York said he monitored the area on both Friday and Saturday nights, describing scenes of extreme public intoxication, fights, and drug dealing in the vicinity of the Bourbon Street Bar.
York said the area felt “unsafe.”
“Not the man walking up offering to sell me cocaine, but these men following these women down our streets,” he said.
He said he witnessed multiple fights in the streets, vomiting and public urination during his assessment.
York noted that this activity has begun spilling over into adjacent neighborhoods and called for the city to consider naming some establishments as “nuisance businesses” due to the high volume of law enforcement and EMS calls.
That would allow the city to seek reimbursement for costs associated with policing the area, York said.
City Commissioner Cynthia Garris echoed his concerns, emphasizing the need to protect Flagler College students and the city’s reputation.
“There’s a lot going on down in that area,” Garris said. “I think we need a stronger police presence for that establishment because I don’t like the sound of what was witnessed this weekend, and we can do better.”
Garris underscored the importance of community safety, especially for young students who frequent downtown at night.
“People are trusting their kids to come to our community because we have a good reputation for being a beautiful city,” she said.
She warned against allowing St. Augustine to develop problems seen in larger cities.
“Definitely, we need people on the ground to oversee that particular area so that we don’t become Miami or some other crazed place,” she said.
The Citizen reported two incidents in recent months involving violent altercations outside the establishment that resulted in arrests.
