03/19/2024
Consumer Protection Issues Summary Suspension For Humacao Restaurant and Bar in East Hartford
HARTFORD – Today, Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli signed a summary suspension of the liquor permit for Humacao Restaurant and Bar (LIR.21281), located at 77 Silver Ln. Ste. B12 in East Hartford.
This suspension is the result of a referral to the DCP Liquor Control Division from the East Hartford Police Department on March 18, 2024, regarding events that occurred during the early morning hours of March 16, 2024.
On March 16, 2024, East Hartford police responded to a report of a gunshot victim inside Humacao. Responding officers and emergency personnel reported that a large crowd created “significant challenges” to render medical aid to the victim. The victim was ultimately pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital.
In his letter to DCP, East Hartford Police Chief Mack Hawkins wrote that a search of East Hartford Police Department records for the past five years shows over 19 calls for service at or related to Humacao’s address. Chief Mack wrote that 11 of calls for service have happened since January 1, 2024, and that calls for service began escalating less than one month after the current backer and permittee received the liquor permit.
Chief Hawkins summarized, “The establishment poses an immediate danger to customers, neighbors, motorists, and responding police officers. The business persists in hosting unruly crowds, loud music, and intoxicated patrons despite repeated citizen complaints and response by the East Hartford Police Department … The staff at Humacao Restaurant and Bar are aware of the complaints listed [herein], but such activity at this bar continues to persist, most recently resulting in the Homicide and melee of intoxicated patrons …”
“First and foremost, our condolences go out to the family who lost a loved one last weekend,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “This is a senseless tragedy that should have been avoided, and even though the new permittees at Humacao have only held the liquor permit for roughly three months, they are clearly not prepared for the responsibilities of protecting public health and safety that come with holding such a permit. Thank you to the East Hartford Police Department for their quick response to this tragedy, and for their ongoing work to address issues at this establishment.”
The premise license is immediately suspended, and the establishment may not serve alcohol until further notice, although they may continue to serve food. The permit was first issued by DCP on a provisional basis on Dec. 12, 2023, and a final permit was approved on Feb. 27, 2024. The permit is set to expire on Dec. 11, 2024.
A copy of the letter from East Hartford Police Chief Mack Hawkins, the suspension placard, and summary suspension order are attached.
Those with concerns about a liquor permit holder in the State of Connecticut may contact DCP’s Liquor Control Division at (860) 713-6210, or by emailing dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov.
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Media Contact:
Kaitlyn Krasselt
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