Dixie Roadhouse to challenge permit suspension; body cam footage shows brawl aftermath

Cape Coral City Council will discuss the suspension of Dixie Roadhouse's extended hours permit weeks after police said about 40 people exiting the nightclub broke out into fights while yelling gang-affiliated comments. Police Chief David Newlan suspended Dixie Roadhouse's extended hours permit on Dec. 12, days after the fights on Dec. 8. The permit allowed the business to stay open until 3 a.m. on weekends - one extra hour than businesses without the permit. More: Cape Coral police revoke Dixie Roadhouse extended hours permit after 40-person fight Police body cam footage from after the brawl shows officers trying to control the crowds in front of Dixie Roadhouse and in the parking lot across the street. According to an officer narrative report from the incident, some people who were fighting were detained in handcuffs but released after the situation calmed down. No one cooperated with the investigation, the report said. Police said in a statement that there has been an increasing number of gang members patronizing the business. Master Sgt. Allan Kolak, the department's public affairs officer, said Newlan offered suggestions for Dixie Roadhouse to reduce gang activity, including prohibiting gang colors, but Dixie Roadhouse ignored the suggestions. He said officers observed members of both the "Eternals" and the "Outlaws" gangs leaving Dixie Roadhouse about the time of the altercation. "Officers called for backup and all south units responded to the scene, totaling 13 police officers," Kolak said. "The necessary allocation of police personnel required by this violent activity compromised the police protection for the remaining south district for approximately one hour." More: Three Cape Coral teens arrested in Snapchat robbery at gunpoint, police say Police said Dixie Roadhouse has the right to request an emergency public hearing before City Council to challenge the permit suspension. A special public hearing is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 at City Hall. David Townsend, an owner of Dixie Roadhouse, said via email that the business' only public statement is: "We have always worked very closely with the Cape Coral Police Department and we will continue to do so until this issue is fully resolved."

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