The Empire Strikes Back at Winnipeg Police

Clubs in downtown Winnipeg need to practice what they preach

Jacques Marcoux,Volunteer Staff

I hope the Empire Cabaret’s owner, Sabino Tummillo, sleeps well at night, knowing that he pulled a fast one on the police department and the local media. His ruse, however, failed to deceive the Manitoban.

Following last week’s nightclub shooting, Empire spokesperson Tina Rosenberg delivered a statement to the local media on the steps of the Main Street bar. In her address she stated, “Police presence is the only effective way to deter this violence, we need help. When will Winnipeg police services wake up and deal with this problem?”

She correctly points out that in other cities this strategy has been successful in reducing violence in nightclubs. Interim police chief Menno Zacharias, however, explained in a press conference that a two-tiered police force would create a conflict of interest, and therefore, the police department’s policy would not allow bar owners to purchase officers for private use.

What is most concerning is how little outrage there has been from the local media vis-à-vis Tummillo’s outrageous statements. Thinking about it, it actually makes sense that there has been less of an uprising on the issue, given that most journalists covering the shooting have not set foot in a Winnipeg nightclub for decades. However, given the relatively young age of most students, including this author, we are in a better position to evaluate the level of security provided in clubs, since we are, for the most part, the ones filling the dance floors.

Thinking about it, it actually makes sense that there has been less of an uprising on the issue given that most journalists covering the shooting have not set foot in a Winnipeg nightclub for decades.

In the press release, the Empire stated that for security they have metal detectors, check people’s bags, and have a video surveillance system (which incidentally was not plugged in the night of the shooting). Although I cannot attest for the video cameras, I can confirm that I have never been searched or seen any form of electronic metal detection device at the entrance of Tummillo’s nightclub. In fact, I have rarely been greeted by a bouncer when the lineup was short. I won’t even get started on the fact that the entire basement and those cramped stairwells are excellent fire hazards. But I will credit the Empire with being consistent at one thing: charging the cover fee. At least they have their priorities straight.

My experience with the Empire was reflected in a series of statements made by witnesses interviewed by the Winnipeg Sun in an article published last week relating to the shooting. No metal detector. No gang-list cross reference. No verifying the contents of bags and jackets. Yet Tummillo still has the nerve to say, “What more could we have done for this not to happen?”

For anyone who has set foot inside a Canad Inn nightclub, they can confirm their exemplary security measures. Odd, but I never thought I would be using use the word “Canad Inns” and the term “exemplary” in the same sentence, but for all those who have had to empty their pockets, walk under the overarching metal detector, get padded down, have their ID scanned, remove their baseball cap, and sent back to their car to remove their 50 Cent jersey will understand that Canad Inns are going the extra mile to ensure the safety of their patrons (and cover their asses).

As Tummillo scrambles for sympathy, I should point out that the warning signs that a violent act like this could happen were abundant. Point in case, this past summer there were two shootings just outside two other downtown bars, Alive and the Metro. Where was the initiative on the Empire’s part to ensure the safety of their patrons after these events? The streak of recent downtown violence essentially raised a red flag for all club owners to see. If it is so well-known that the Empire Cabaret is a magnet for gang activity and violence, as the owner claims, he cannot then turn around and plead innocence in light of last week’s incident.

The Empire Cabaret needs to, at the very least, bolster its security to industry standard, much like its Canad Inns counterpart, before it starts pointing its crooked finger at the Winnipeg Police Department.

Jacques Marcoux is a fourth-year commerce student.





Volume 95 Issue 11	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	October 31, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly The Empire Strikes Back at Winnipeg Police Clubs in downtown Winnipeg need to practice what they preach Jacques Marcoux,Volunteer Staff I hope the Empire Cabaret’s owner, Sabino Tummillo, sleeps well at night, knowing that he pulled a fast one on the police department and the local media. His ruse, however, failed to deceive the Manitoban. Following last week’s nightclub shooting, Empire spokesperson Tina Rosenberg delivered a statement to the local media on the steps of the Main Street bar. In her address she stated, “Police presence is the only effective way to deter this violence, we need help. When will Winnipeg police services wake up and deal with this problem?” She correctly points out that in other cities this strategy has been successful in reducing violence in nightclubs. Interim police chief Menno Zacharias, however, explained in a press conference that a two-tiered police force would create a conflict of interest, and therefore, the police department’s policy would not allow bar owners to purchase officers for private use. What is most concerning is how little outrage there has been from the local media vis-à-vis Tummillo’s outrageous statements. Thinking about it, it actually makes sense that there has been less of an uprising on the issue, given that most journalists covering the shooting have not set foot in a Winnipeg nightclub for decades. However, given the relatively young age of most students, including this author, we are in a better position to evaluate the level of security provided in clubs, since we are, for the most part, the ones filling the dance floors. Thinking about it, it actually makes sense that there has been less of an uprising on the issue given that most journalists covering the shooting have not set foot in a Winnipeg nightclub for decades. In the press release, the Empire stated that for security they have metal detectors, check people’s bags, and have a video surveillance system (which incidentally was not plugged in the night of the shooting). Although I cannot attest for the video cameras, I can confirm that I have never been searched or seen any form of electronic metal detection device at the entrance of Tummillo’s nightclub. In fact, I have rarely been greeted by a bouncer when the lineup was short. I won’t even get started on the fact that the entire basement and those cramped stairwells are excellent fire hazards. But I will credit the Empire with being consistent at one thing: charging the cover fee. At least they have their priorities straight. My experience with the Empire was reflected in a series of statements made by witnesses interviewed by the Winnipeg Sun in an article published last week relating to the shooting. No metal detector. No gang-list cross reference. No verifying the contents of bags and jackets. Yet Tummillo still has the nerve to say, “What more could we have done for this not to happen?” For anyone who has set foot inside a Canad Inn nightclub, they can confirm their exemplary security measures. Odd, but I never thought I would be using use the word “Canad Inns” and the term “exemplary” in the same sentence, but for all those who have had to empty their pockets, walk under the overarching metal detector, get padded down, have their ID scanned, remove their baseball cap, and sent back to their car to remove their 50 Cent jersey will understand that Canad Inns are going the extra mile to ensure the safety of their patrons (and cover their asses). As Tummillo scrambles for sympathy, I should point out that the warning signs that a violent act like this could happen were abundant. Point in case, this past summer there were two shootings just outside two other downtown bars, Alive and the Metro. Where was the initiative on the Empire’s part to ensure the safety of their patrons after these events? The streak of recent downtown violence essentially raised a red flag for all club owners to see. If it is so well-known that the Empire Cabaret is a magnet for gang activity and violence, as the owner claims, he cannot then turn around and plead innocence in light of last week’s incident. The Empire Cabaret needs to, at the very least, bolster its security to industry standard, much like its Canad Inns counterpart, before it starts pointing its crooked finger at the Winnipeg Police Department. Jacques Marcoux is a fourth-year commerce student.


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