FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2019
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement and Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced today a judge has declared Ballpark Tavern, 7201 Bristol Pike, Levittown, Bucks County, a public nuisance, temporarily closing the facility until a full hearing can be held.
Friday afternoon's decision is the result of cooperation from multiple agencies, including the PSP Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, PSP Troop M, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bristol Township Police, and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.
"Since 2017, law enforcement has documented a pattern of illegal and irresponsible behavior from the operators of Ballpark Tavern, its employees, and patrons," said Major Scott T. Miller, director of the PSP Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. "Beyond repeated violations of the liquor code, we uncovered instances of public drunkenness, prostitution, and overdoses that were negatively affecting people and other businesses in the area."
Additionally, DCNR rangers routinely investigated complaints of patrons and vagrants polluting the Delaware Canal Towpath near the business, according to the court filing.
Under section §6-611 of the liquor code, the court can prevent the business from being operated for one year if authorities present proper cause; in the form of liquor code violations, police incidents, and community complaints. The hearing will take place in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas on Tuesday, June 25.
"This is a quality of life issue," said Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub. "Closing down the Ballpark Tavern is an important step toward protecting the people in this community and cleaning up the area."
As part of the court filing, attorneys for the Commonwealth provided statements from nearby residents that outlined the adverse effects of Ballpark Tavern. Anyone who would like to add their input may contact the PSP Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement's Allentown office at 610-366-2600.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Ryan Tarkowski (PSP), 717-783-5556; James O'Malley (Bucks County District Attorney's Office), 215-348-6298
# # #