Lion Express reports calmer nights, thanks to police presence

BENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- New details Tuesday night, on an illegal outdoor party that was taking over the parking lot outside a Berrien County liquor store. The Benton Township Police Department shutting it all down, and the gathering known as "Club Meeks" by locals appears to be over.

The past couple weeks have been a bit quieter in the parking lot of Lion Express in Benton Township.

Those with the store tell ABC57 it's due in part to a heavier law enforcement presence.

In the past couple weeks, officers have been keeping a watchful eye on Club Meeks.

"I think now everyone is starting to get on the same page as far as why we're so concerned about those crowds being there, I think they're starting to understand, and it's definitely gotten better as we've gone along," said Detective Tyler Tiefenbach with Benton Township police.

ABC57 spoke to Sunny Singh, one of the managers at Lion Express. He says Club Meeks was creating an unwinnable battle for his employees, and he's happy that hasn't been the case lately.

"Last couple weeks, we have been letting the cops and the police know of these parties that get announced on Facebook or meetups that get sent through Facebook. By letting the cops know beforehand, we're able to let these things not happen anymore, just for public safety reasons and just for our own employee safety reasons as well. We can't be outside against 200 people, with 3 employees inside, and tell them to leave, it's just not possible," said Singh.

Benton Township Detective Tyler Tiefenbach says the added police presence has improved conditions for the business as well, making sure things stay calm through the night.

"This weekend, every time I pulled up the cameras, there were maybe a couple of cars in the parking lot but nowhere near what we have been. The loitering was way down, and it seems, not just this past weekend, but the weekend before, back to Memorial Day weekend, was also very quiet, everything was moving well for the business," said Tiefenbach.

Detective Tiefenbach says he understands people are just looking to hang out and have a good time with each other, but it becomes a problem when he and his fellow law enforcement officials are having to come break things up.