KVUE News has learned about more problems for an embattled East Austin bar.
Austin Police confirmed with KVUE that 5 people were arrested inside and outside of Club Escapade on January 30th, 2010 in an undercover sting operation by APD.
They were charged with either selling or possessing cocaine. Two were arrested for public intoxication.
Club Escapade was one of two Austin clubs targeted after Austin Police say they noticed a trend of crimes leading back to the clubs.
"We saw some assault trends where people leaving the club were then committing assaults later at secondary locations. In addition to that we had seen a disturbing trend of DWI's that were coming from the club, collisions resulting from that our patrols officers were dealing with," said Sgt. Robert Jones with A.P.D.
On Tuesday night the Club Escapade owner and manager showed KVUE around the club where they've installed 48 surveillance cameras capturing the actions of patrons and employees.
In much of the surveillance video we saw club employees searching people as they entered, checking I.D.'s and even hats for paraphernalia.
"We always had security and the clients know the people coming in here they know this place more than anything is secured," said Sal Casiano, a manager at Club Escapade.
The club has also hired more security guards and has posters plastered all over the establishment offering free cab rides to any patrons who can't drive.
Club Escapade is the same establishment Austin police believe 18-year-old Luis Zuniga was drinking the night of January 26th, the same night he was arrested and charged with intoxication assault for hitting and injuring an Austin police officer.
In October of 2008, 49-year-old Jose Rivera was gunned down in the Club Escapade parking lot, a case which remains unsolved.
Neighbors living about a mile away say they are now petitioning the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in hopes of revoking Club Escapade's liquor license in light of the recent problems there.
"I have a big issue with a nightclub that has had I think 15 arrests, or 15 crimes that have happened there within the past 3-months," said Stephen Binder.
The TABC said the cocaine arrests may not impact the club's liquor license because it wasn't employees who were arrested. Employees are also getting training from Austin police this weekend.
