Gunfire, Noise, More Issues Close Delaware County Bar

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA — A Delaware County bar has agreed to close to address safety concerns raised by the public and elected officials.

The Rose Bar in Clifton Heights is now closed, according to Clifton Heights Borough officials.

The bar, located at 60 E Baltimore Ave., and borough reached a Consent Agreement designed to address ongoing safety concerns in the community.

Under the Consent Agreement, approved by Judge Kelly Eckel of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, the bar closed on Friday.

If it reopens in the future, the bar will be required to close each night at midnight for a period of nine months.

Additionally, the bar will be required to put in place additional security measures, including certification of its security under Pennsylvania State Police standards.

The Consent Agreement follows legal action initiated in February by Clifton Heights Borough at the request of Borough Council President Mike Humphreys to help safeguard the safety of residential areas and the borough’s business district.

Recent incidents include reported and confirmed gunfire outside the establishment, as well as incidents of public drunkenness, excessive noise and lewd behavior, among other issues.

Following these incidents, Humphreys requested that Mayor Mark Campbell, as the borough’s chief law enforcement officer, and borough staff to explore all available legal options to address safety concerns for local residents and the business district.

"As an elected official, I believe we have a duty and responsibility to protect the safety of our residents and the larger community by ensuring that all establishments conduct their operations in a safe manner in accordance with applicable laws and regulations," Humphreys said. "This remedial action underscores that we will fully enforce and hold business operators accountable to ensure public safety. It is my hope that these steps will ultimately help to address the ongoing problems associated with the establishment, however borough officials and our police department will continue to carefully monitor the situation once the bar reopens for business."

"This is a positive outcome for the community of Clifton Heights and I thank Council President Humphreys for his leadership on this issue," Mayor Mark Campbell said. "Rest assured, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and the conduct of the establishment’s patrons going forward."