Can the police sit outside a bar to watch people?

Question

Can the police sit outside a bar watching people then interviewing and carding people as they are leaving the bar? can the police come inside the bar and card people for no reason? can they do this night after night after night? As a bar owner, what are my legal rights against this "stalking"?

Answer 1

YES! They can do whatever they want.

Answer 2

Of course they can.  The better question is why are they outside of YOUR establishment.  Most likely there have been disturbances out front, or a number of drunk drivers have been pulled over after leaving your establishment, or they have suspicions that you are serving alchohol to minors.  They're not just doing it to stalk you - they have a reason.

Answer 3

Nothing that you're describing is illegal.  What do you want to do - sue the police?  Keep a tighter leash on the customers in your establishment.  If the cops are around that much, you must be having complaints.

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

umm first of all yes they can, and 2nd it doesn't even come close to the definition of stalking

Answer 6

If you have a liquor license they can do a walk thru and if they observe an underage person they can ask for identification.  As far as carding people as they leave the bar, the same thing. If I were to see someine exiting a bar and I had probable cause to believe that person was undeerage, you better believe that I would card thnat person.  I would be doing my job a within my rights.

Answer 7

There is no law requiring you to show ID to any police officer unless you're a driver in a traffic stop. Otherwise, you can simply say "no thank you" and keep on walking.

Answer 8

They cannot come into the bar and harass customers by asking for identification as long as they do not have probable cause. That said, the reason for probable cause can be ambiguous as far as the police are concerned.

As for sitting outside of the bar and harassing the patrons, that is what they do best. Not much to do about it.

I would suggest getting a lawyer and begin filing complaints about the harassment with the city or county, whichever police are doing it. You will be hard pressed to find a lawyer within their jurisdiction because lawyers do not like to step on the toes of people that they will be dealing with later on.

Answer 9

Unfortunately they can.  In addition, they can mark the tires of customer vehicles with chalk so they know to pull them over later when they leave and issue DUI's.  Find out what you did to get on the 'bad side of the law' and try donating to your areas local charities, etc. and see if things don't change.

Answer 10

I know it's a hassle, but as long as they're not harassing or searching anyone without cause they can do it.  Call the chief or City Hall and ask what's up.  Tell them you run a legal and honest business and that  cops constantly surveying the place looks bad and is therefore bad for your business.  If you get no results, it might be time to check out competing bars to see if you're being unfairly singled out.  Then you might have a harrassment case against them.

Answer 11

Honestly sir, they can.  See a bar is considered a public place regardless if you charge a cover or not.  Most states allow police to enter and check your permit at anytime.  Also by obtaining a license to sell alcohol more than likely on that application it tells you that you are subject to inspections and you consent to those inspections by your acceptance of the license.  Furthermore, an officer can check the indentification of any person whenever he wants.  Just like setting up a License and Insurance checkpoint, which the US supreme court has ruled is constitutional.  No probable cause necessary.  If you feel they are unfairly targeting your establishment, politely ask them if they have been receiving complaints about you or your bar.  And if they are ask them what you can do to assure them that you are running a legite operation.  They will tell you if that is the case.  If not, then ask the administration of the department why your area is being so heavily enforced.  They may be doing a long term operation in your area or you might have a problem.  Lodge your complaint with the Head of the department  but be sure it is a valid complaint.

Answer 12

Logic316 isn't showing a lot of logic with his answer.  I dare ... no I double-dare Logic to pull that stunt the next time he's walking and a police officer asks him for some ID.  #1, cops don't stop you unless there's probable cause, and probable cause is anything that makes the cop suspicious.  #2, a cop has every right to know who's he's talking to if he's investigating something suspicious.  #3, you start to walk away with some flip answer and I guarantee you will be on the ground with handcuffs on.  C'mon Logic, make my day!

Answer 13

Call Your Liquor Control Commission and ask them...

I don't know if they can or not...I have heard yes..and I have heard no...but unsure!

If this is happening night after night...I would think that would be harassment!

Sounds like they are being told you are serving underage drinkers for them to be the way they are to you on a daily basis but you would think that Liquor Control would have stepped in by now.....who knows ;o)

Answer 14

If you are a licensed establishment you have no recourse against the police attempting to enforce the laws of the city/state. No reason? Ask your neighbors who complain about your patrons and ask the drivers who have to avoid your patrons driving.

By applying for a license you accept certain rules, one of those rules for bars is cooperation with authorities.

In my jurisdiction if there is a crime even outside the bar, no matter how minor, the bar owner/agent (bartender) must call the police or he can be ticketed and fined.