After Officer Gets Punched, Village Puts SportsPlex on Notice

Sturtevant village officials have put the owners of the Sturtevant SportsPlex on notice; either clean up your operation or face closing down.

In a meeting Thursday with owner Fernando Bahena and his attorney, Jason Luczak, Sturtevant authorities laid out a plan they think can help bring things under control in the bar and banquet areas of the business.

Village Clerk/Interim Administrator Mary Cole confirmed this isn't the first conversation they've had with Bahena, but the incident that prompted the meeting was serious and could have been worse.

"There could have been citations issued after this incident, and we're hoping to avoid that happening in the future as well," she said after the meeting.

According to the incident report, off-duty Sturtevant officers were at the SportsPlex March 1 providing security for the venue while it hosted a concert in the bar area. At 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police were monitoring the coat check to keep the line in order and moving when Mario Alberto Hernandez-Lizama, 44, tried to push his way into the coat room.

Officers tried several times to deter Lizama and to escort him out of the building, but he resisted and ended up punching the officer in the face. Lizama was booked into the Racine County Jail for battery to a police officer and resisting/obstructing.

According to Sturtevant Police Chief Sean Marschke, his officers were allowed to work there at the request of the SportsPlex with his permission. But, what was supposed to be an occasional job turned more regular.

"Our department is not their security," he said. 

While that incident is the first time police have been actively involved in an altercation at the SportsPlex, it isn't the first time officers have had to make an arrest. There have been numerous arrests for disorderly conduct and police have broken up a number a fights.

Luczak confirmed that Bahena is committed to implementing the changes.

"We're fully prepared to address these minor security issues and the way alcohol is served," he said. "Fernando will do anything a responsible license holder would do for their business."

The problem is that the village can only offer suggestions instead of mandates. Authorities there can, of course, check on whether or not Bahena and his employees are complying with the rules attached to the SportsPlex's liquor license and conditional use permit.

How to get back on track

Some of the suggestions offered include:

• Limiting the sale of alcohol to drinks per person instead of a case of beer to one person;
• Have an additional employee listed as a licensed operator because a state alcohol course is required;
• Ending sales of alcohol before bar time to make sure everyone is out the door at 2:30 a.m. on weekends;
• Hiring reliable security because Sturtevant officers will no longer work there while off duty;
• Only hosting concerts and dances in the banquet hall and bar areas because the sporting fields are not designed or were approved for additional uses;
• Stop using neighboring business' parking lots without their permission.

When the trustees at the continual committee meeting Tuesday talked about concerns at the SportsPlex, Village President Steve Jansen asked about revoking Bahena's conditional use permit, which would effectively shutter the SportsPlex.

"I would suggest looking at pulling their conditional use permit," he said.

Cole didn't disagree, but wanted to have the meeting Thursday first. Still, she told Patch after the meeting that all it takes is one more incident to call Bahena before the Planning Commission to have his conditional use permit reviewed and possibly suspended.

As for the parking issue, Cole said they told Bahena to talk to his business neighbors about using their lots for overflow parking, and, if they agree, to get it in writing. Without that permission, Sturtevant police can write tickets and have vehicles towed.

It's no secret that Bahena has put the building up for sale - and owes almost $200,000 in back taxes, according to a story in The Journal Times - but Luczak said his client has a substantial investment in the SportsPlex and in the community as a whole.

"He is committed to taking care of the village's concerns in a timely fashion," he said. "We know we're under scrutiny, but this was a helpful discussion because both parties are concerned with the facility running in a responsible way."