In Wake of Student's Murder, Lawmakers Press To Allow Officers To Work as Bouncers

The New York Sun
By ELIZABETH SOLOMONT Special to the Sun
Wednesday, March 15, 2006 12:00 AM GMT
Copyright 2006 The New York Sun, One SL, LLC. All rights reserved.

As first-degree murder charges loom over the head of the bouncer suspected of killing a 24-year-old graduate student, Imette St. Guillen, lawmakers and security specialists are pressing for new security measures.

Two lawmakers yesterday asked police officials to allow off-duty officers to work as bouncers at city bars.

Council Members David Yassky and Peter Vallone Jr., sent a joint letter to the police commissioner, Raymond Kelly, urging him to support legislation letting officers work outside bars, even though city law prevents officers from working at establishments that serve alcohol.

In light of the bouncer's suspected involvement in St. Guillen's murder, "It would seem appropriate to allow law enforcement officers to undertake this responsibility and provide security at bars and nightclubs when they are not performing official duties," the lawmakers wrote.

St. Guillen, whose naked and bound body was found in Brooklyn on February 25, was last seen at the Falls bar in SoHo. On Sunday, Mr. Kelly identified the bar's bouncer, Darryl Littlejohn, 41, as a "prime suspect" in her death after Littlejohn's blood was found on the plastic ties used to bind St. Guillen's hands.

Last week, a state Assembly member, Felix Ortiz, proposed another piece of legislation called "Imette's Law," which would require bars licensed by the State Liquor Authority to install security cameras at their entrances. Mr. Ortiz told The New York Sun the purpose of the bill is to deter similar crimes and ensure public safety.

Another safety issue stems from the fact that Littlejohn was employed as a bouncer at the Falls despite an extensive criminal record including a parole violation.

A company that provides employment background checks, InfoLink Screening Services, released a 2005 report of employee background screening results. Based on hundreds of thousands of background checks, the report shows that on average, about 9% of employees lied about their criminal records. About 12.5% of the employees in the food service industry had criminal records, according to the report. Only the construction industry had a greater percentage with 13.7%, the report stated.

Littlejohn, who used a host of aliases when arrested, is being held at Rikers Island on a parole violation. A grand jury heard evidence yesterday in the St. Guillen case, police sources said, and an indictment is expected at the beginning of next week.

'It would seem appropriate to allow law enforcement officers to undertake this responsibility and provide security at bars and nightclubs when they are not performing official duties.'