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Ongoing Patterns of Violence at Star Lounge

Star Lounge Assault 1a We are disappointed to learn of further incidences of violence outside the Star Lounge recently.  This is especially disconcerting in light of the fact that the Chelsea Hotel management (Arnold Tamasar and Andrew Tilley) had earlier been informed of this ongoing problem and chose to take no action.  These violent incidents appear to take place in plain view of if not with the outright collusion of both Star Lounge Assault 1b the bouncers at Star Lounge and most disturbingly the security guards employed by the Chelsea Hotel. 

This potentially explosive situation impacts not only the Chelsea Hotel but the entire neighborhood as we feel it is only a matter of time before a neighborhood resident is caught up in what is fast becoming a nightly free for all and seriously injured.   Though you wouldn’t know it from the behavior of the thugs who hang out at the Star Lounge there are families with small children as well as old people who live in this area and they shouldn’t have to walk through crowds on their way to and from their homes. 

A number of residents at the Chelsea Hotel have gotten together and drafted a petition calling on Star Lounge Assault 2a community leaders to remedy this situation.  You can help by signing this petition.  Contact Michele Zalopany at the Chelsea Hotel to let her  know that you want to sign the petition or print out a copy of the petition and sign it and deliver to Ms. Zalopany at the Hotel.  Copies of the petition were posted around the hotel earlier this week, but they were torn down.  So, if you signed one of those copies your signature has been lost and you might want to sign again.

Star Lounge Assault 2b Additionally, please contact Senator Tom Duane or Speaker Christine Quinn and express your concerns about the noise, disorder and violence associated with Star Lounge.  Here is a sample letter you can sign and send to the Senator or to Speaker Quinn.  Remember, this is not just a Chelsea Hotel issue.  These concerns impact the entire Chelsea neighborhood.

Star Lounge Assault 2c 

Thanks to a tipster for sending in the photos.

 

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26 responses to “Ongoing Patterns of Violence at Star Lounge”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thanks for posting this, Ed. Disturbing and violent activity has been going on at Star Lounge for at least two months. Let me reiterate, the Star Lounge received their lease from the previous tenants, not the Bards.But, that is not at issue. Clientele can change when clubs go out of favor and are desperate for money. I understand that Star Lounge owes many thousands in back rent. It should be a no-brainer to evict them, unless…there is some back room deal with SL owner Charles Ferri and David Elder for the goons from the Star Lounge that ‘protected’ him from them tenants, but beat one up instead.

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  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    These photos are shocking. Even more startling, however, is that the Star Lounge has TAKEN DOWN their own security camera that used to be mounted outside the door near the stairs. It’s GONE!!!! What are these idiots Arnold Tamasar and Andrew Tilley thinking??

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  3. Old & Crappy Avatar
    Old & Crappy

    It is my understanding that NY State law requires clubs to have video cameras installed by their doors. This law was passed in response to the recent spate of murders committed by bouncers at various NY clubs.

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  4. Red Means Stop Avatar
    Red Means Stop

    Possibly the Security thought the guy handing out beatings was a Police Officer…I mean, he does have a STOP sign on his back. They were just obeying the law, right?

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  5. Scar Lounge Avatar
    Scar Lounge

    This isn’t an isolated incident, this type of thing is virtually a nightly occurance down there. Not to mention my walls shaking from the sound system…but they never corrected the noise problem so I doubt they’ll correct the problems with Security until somebody gets killed

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  6. Miss H Avatar
    Miss H

    This place gives the hotel a black eye. It’s such an exploitative and cheesy club. Do you think Tilley hammered an eviction notice on their door? Out with Ferri, Tilley,Krauss and Elder. Bring Back the Bards.

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  7. Ferri Land Avatar
    Ferri Land

    Get a load of the Star Lounge doorman with his hands in his pockets. Same guy who freaked out and got violent when a resident’s taxicab got close to his motorcycle. But when something real happens he acts like its a Pay Per View event and turns into a spectator. Real tough guy.

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  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    This is just awful.

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  9. Call the 10th Precinct Avatar
    Call the 10th Precinct

    Anyone who sees Lounge related violence might consider calling the 10th Precinct directly. Often, it does little good to dial 9-1-1. I know the PD works hard, around the clock, but by the time they respond to 9-1-1 the situation has usually gone down the block. Guys like the one seen here in the red jacket don’t hang around waiting for the cops. From the photographs it should be obvious we cannot depend on “Security” for emergencies. They just stood and did nothing while assaults took place on Hotel property. I only hope those who got assaulted are OK. If they’re not and they decide to sue, both the Hotel and the Star Lounge will be liable because they permitted it to happen and did not even try to assist those being attacked. It seems somehow counterproductive to hire physical cowards to act as “Security”.

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  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I was awakened by the screaming at 2:30am and my bedroom is in the back. This fight went on for at least an hour, when hotel security finally called the police. I’ve called the police many times before, but if management does nothing, it’s pointless. Maybe it’s a ‘passive-aggressive’ move by management to harass the tenants. More likely, it’s because David Elder is in bed with Charles Ferri.

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  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I hope this is the ‘last call’ for the Star Lounge. They truly don’t reflect the Hotel’s vibe. Serena was much more…well…serere.

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  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Serene, rather.

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  13. Scar Lounge Avatar
    Scar Lounge

    Charles Ferri must already be kissing the Star Lounge goodbye, like Heather Graham did to him.
    Otherwise he’d probably care about the civil liability that his club and his “security” are bringing his way.
    Maybe his hired help will help pay the judgements against him? Probably not.

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  14. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Of course the cameras were taken down. No cameras, no crime.

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  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Cops in the building. From what I can gather Andrew Tilley called them on a resident for expressing support of the Bards. He is definitely threatened by the least opposition.
    The cops kindly explained to Tilley that no crime had been committed. Now he’s turning into Glennon Travis — calling the NYPD to deal with nonissues.
    How about sorting out the Star Lounge?

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  16. Better Things To Do Avatar
    Better Things To Do

    These photographs show that even several bystanders stopped to see what was happening! I see both a woman and a man stopped at the end of the garbage pile observing the assault rather intently. But not security, they had better thing to do apparently!

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  17. Good Samaritans Avatar
    Good Samaritans

    If there isn’t a NY law criminalizing a failure to render aid to someone in need, these pictures suggest there sure ought to be.
    These security guys arent exactly good samaritans, are they? Think of the things that have happened but weren’t caught on camera.

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  18. Avatar
    Anonymous

    the camera was likely removed from the star lounge so the lounge could deny these thugs came from their estabilishment.

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  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I can see a new onlooker standing at the top of the garbage pile (by the street sign) in three separate frames. Even if these pics weren’t time-stamped we’d know this beating went on for awhile

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  20. Avatar
    Anonymous

    what can we say about the hotel security? never needed ’em, don’t want ’em, and they stick out like a sore thumb except when somebody needs them. when theyre not trying to give chicks their phone numbers (egad..have they even looked in the mirror lately?), they’re taking a cat nap or glaring at residents like they’re sniffing out a terrorist. yeah right, good luck with that. anyway, as for the pictures…for a guy who obviously indulges in a lot of anabolic steriods that star lounge bouncer seems pretty weak

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  21. Survey Says Avatar
    Survey Says

    Security was concerned they’d get their butts kicked too. Otherwise they’d controlled their customers. Its called survival of the weakest.

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  22. Walk The (Unemployment) Line Avatar
    Walk The (Unemployment) Line

    I feel bad for Tilley’s security…in a way. They’re all so slovenly, probably spending most of what they earn on poor approximations of mens suits, clearly not cut out for this type of thing though I’m sure theyve been led to think its plenty glamorous working at the Hotel Chelsea. I wonder if they know that they owe their employment to a pack of absurd lies told by David Elder. But you know, its also sadly pathetic that Elder himself thinks he’ll succeed with this ruse. Once Elder’s lies are confirmed, they’ll all be out of a job.

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  23. Kelley Avatar
    Kelley

    I stayed at the Chelsea hotel in September of this year. I was standing outside with my sister and we were talking to one of the hotels so called security guards. A guy was parked outside with the stereo of his car up full blast. The hotel resdients were shouting for him to turn the music down and he was screaming back at them to suck his irish c***. We asked the security guard was he not going to step in and as him to move on. He just shrugged his shoulders!!
    We couldn’t believe just how useless he was! we actually spoke to the guy and got him to move on. I think the money spent paying the hotel security could be better spent on your hotel wiring system!!

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  24. Roid Rage Avatar
    Roid Rage

    Not even Thanksgiving Eve can keep the Star Lounge staff from causing incidents in front of the Hotel. Its a few minutes before 4 am (last call) and they just ‘escorted’ a fall-down drunk to a taxicab whose driver wasn’t having any of one particular security guy’s attitude so he TOOK OFF! With the door wide open and the security guy’s arm & torso still inside -OUCH thats gotta hurt. This is the same security guy who assaulted a tenant over a taxicab issue. Anyway security’s answer was to nevermind the drunk guy, find his own car keys, and try to chase the cabbie down –which he didn’t manage to do. A few minutes later he leaves in the little white truck thats always illegally parked in the Hotel loading zone, with the comment “I got to go shoot me a motherf*cker”. Nice holiday cheer.

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  25. Avatar
    Anonymous

    maybe the star lounge door guy was busy guarding his beat up white pickup truck – not really a lady magnet but with that steroid habit who needs ’em

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  26. Anonameister Avatar
    Anonameister

    If you watch the Police Blotter in the local Chelsea Now you will probably be surprised to see how just how many violent assaults take place right on 8th Avenue in our neighborhood. A couple of weeks ago someone was attacked at 24th Street on the corner were Rite Aid sits. But never before the Star Lounge opened was this frightening violence to be found right outside our front door. This must be stopped.

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