Residents of Federal Hill are withdrawing their request that the city liquor board revoke the licenses of 17 area bars unless they stop holding a St. Patrick's Day street party.
The residents were scheduled to argue their case before the board Thursday at City Hall. But board chairman Thomas Ward told the neighbors in a letter that the panel could not use the renewal process to place additional restrictions on liquor licenses.
Neighbor Betsy Homer, who gathered signatures for the petition, said the residents had wanted only to rein in an "Irish Stroll" block party they say got out of control.
"We didn't want to close the bars," Homer said. "It was to try to stop them from doing this craziness."
The 20 neighbors say they documented widespread drunkenness, vomiting and public urination during the event. The sponsors, Lindy Promotions and the Federal Hill Hospitality Association, closed off several city blocks, sold thousands of tickets and encouraged residents to visit the 17 bars involved. Neighbors say as many as 8,000 people attended, and residents took video of inappropriate behavior.
Police records show that officers responded to eight 911 calls during the event, including for disorderly conduct and an injured person.
Brian McComas, an owner of Ryleigh's and president of the Federal Hill Hospitality Association, which represents 20 establishments with liquor licenses, did not respond to a request for comment.
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