Local News Organization Starts Petition to Challenge South Bar's Liquor License

, the publisher behind Birmingham's Downtown Magazine, has created a petition at Change.org to challenge the liquor license for South Bar.

The petition was created after after a fight between two women. On Wednesday, released a photo of the woman believed to have shot the small handgun twice in the air; after turning herself in later that day, the woman is currently being questioned.

According to the petition, Monday's shooting is just the latest in an "ongoing series of incidents involving patrons of this bar/nightclub which have included fights and even a stabbing."

"The situation at South Bar constitutes a serious diversion of public safety resources from the rest of the Birmingham community and the latest gunfire incident constitutes a serious threat to public safety for those living in downtown Birmingham, along with visitors to the community's downtown area," the petition reads.

As of Thursday night, the petition had 43 signatures.

Originally, the petition called for the city to revoke South's liquor license, however City Manager Bob Bruner said Thursday that only the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has the authority to revoke licenses — not the city. The updated petition asks the Birmingham City Commission to "work toward rescinding" and challenge the South Bar liquor license.

Birmingham may file a request for the revocation of the liquor license with the MLCC, a process which involves an investigation and a public hearing.

"These actions have potentially significant consequences for both the city and the licensee, so we will address the immediate public safety concerns by increasing police patrols while carefully and thoughtfully weighing our options," Bruner said.

Meanwhile, objections to the renewal of the liquor license must be received by the MLCC no later than March 31 every year, meaning South's liquor license renewal won't come up again until 2013.

South has troubled history with fights, police

This isn't the first time South has had a brush with the police.

On Aug. 1, police charged two men from Detroit and Lathrup Village with felonious assault after . The men were reportedly part of an entourage with New York Jets wide receiver and Detroit native Braylon Edwards.

for extortion and slander after employees connected him to the fight.

The number of police incidents at South Bar was a heated topic of discussion at the . The commission called for special hearings for South and the Hamilton Room due to the number of disturbances there, noting it costs the city money to police these establishments.

“If our police department are going to be taxed by one or two establishments, that costs money,” Commissioner Rackeline Hoff said at the time. “It is costing money to prevent altercations.”

Both licenses were renewed and during the , Commissioner Stuart Sherman applauded both bars — including South — for accommodating commissioner concerns and cutting down on the number of police incidents.

"Both (South and the Hamilton Room) have made great strides in improving their situations," Sherman said.

Still, residents were concerned following Monday morning's shooting. More than 25 comments discussing the issue were left on the Birmingham Patch's Facbeook page.

"The city and bars need to address the violence that seems to have occurred around a few bars in town over the past few years," Brian Welch said. "This isn't the first time such incidents have taken place ... Bars don't have a right to operate if they keep attracting troublemakers."

City to conduct investigation, up police patrols downtown

Going forward, Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said police will increase their patrols in downtown Birmingham to prevent any similiar incidents.

"This type of dangerous behavior is unacceptable by any standard and will not be tolerated," Studt said. "The men and women of the Birmingham Police Department are committed to ensuring everyone can enjoy Birmingham safely."

Bruner said though the next Birmingham City Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, the issue won't be on the agenda and won't be discussed in detail until city staff conducts the required investigation.

"I think I speak for everyone in the city government when I saw we understand how detrimental incidents like this can be to our community," Bruner said. "We are taking this incident seriously and are doing everything we can to ensure Birmingham is safe for everyone. However the public should not expect city officials to make any further public comments on this incident until the investigation is complete."

Those interested in signing the petition should visit Change.org.