Wyoming leaders consider bar shutdown

WYOMING, Mich. (WZZM) -- City leaders call it a danger to the community. Now, a Wyoming bar could be shut down after a series of violent incidents.

Wyoming's city council Monday night took a step toward revoking the business license of the owner of the Galewood Tavern.

If Wyoming's police chief could give the Galewood Tavern a middle name, he would probably call it "trouble."

"It's a direct and immediate threat to public safety," says Chief James Carmody.

In 2010, after a series of violent incidents, Chief Carmody gave the bar's owner a warning.

"Since then, they're been a couple stabbings and a homicide," says Carmody.

His concerns were heard by the city council Monday night.  Its members appointed a committee that could recommend shutting the bar down.

"I have a really good clientele coming in now, an older crowd of people," says Doug Slagboom, owner of the Galewood Tavern.

Slagboom says he's changed the music, the atmosphere, and now has fewer troublemakers.

"To say we're going to take away your license for something that's not going on, I don't think that's right," says Slagboom.

Slagboom believes after many years, he's built a solid foundation with the community.

"I get along well with Wyoming," says Slagboom.

But off-camera, several people living and working in the area said they'd be relieved if the bar was gone.

"If he's not willing to work with us, we'll do what we have to do, " says Chief Carmody.

Slagboom will be able to give his side of the story at an upcoming hearing.  The police chief will also present evidence against Slagboom.

A date hasn't been set yet.

Reported by Alex Shabad in Wyoming