By Kari Milchman

The City Council held a hearing this past Thursday for legislation that would give the NYPD and the Department of Consumer Affairs the power to close any establishment employing an unlicensed bouncer or a bouncer with a criminal record. Two NYC bouncer-related murders this year prompted the introduction of the bill. Daryl Littlejohn, accused of murdering Imette St. Guillen after she left The Falls bar where he worked, had seven convictions on his record. Outside the Opus 22 Café and Lounge, Stephen Sakai, who worked security there, killed one patron and shot three others. Later, it became apparent that he had also used his .45 caliber handgun to wound two other men. Last weekend alone, cops raided 42 bars, finding 41 unlicensed security guards, including some with rape, drug, and illegal gun possession charges. Beyond the proposed bill, the NYPD wants to require more rigorous training for security guards. That way, when they attack an unsuspecting patron, they’ll be able to do it more skillfully and efficiently. So far, bar owners have been cooperative…as long as the legislation would not extend to servers or bartenders. That’s good news for all you homicidal waitresses out there.