A Houston restaurant president is claiming a local fire marshal issued his general manager a violation notice for refusing to order police officers to leave an outdoor eating area.
Buffalo Grille, which has offered first responders a 50% discount for years, was allegedly cited by a firefighter for allowing a group of police officers to eat at an outside table. The firefighter allegedly said the officers were violating social distancing rules and had to leave immediately, according to KPRC-TV.
When management said they didn’t feel comfortable removing the police officers, the fire department allegedly issued a violation notice.
“About 15 minutes later, another set of police officers were there, and the fire marshal came and asked them to leave and wrote us a notice of violation, I believe is what it’s called,” owner John McAleer said. “We were surprised about it, but it is what it is. If we are in violation of it, we’ll take the notice.”
McAleer also said it’s his manager’s understanding that he will go to jail if it happens again.
“Obviously, at first, it throws you for a loop. Nothing surprises me anymore.”
The Houston Fire Department released a statement contradicting the owner’s version of events.
“Both departments (HFD and HPD) are working diligently to enforce the spirit of the County’s Stay-Home order,” the statement read. “Contrary to reports, the Buffalo Grille was not cited by the HFD Occupancy Task Force and there were no fees assessed. The complaint was resolved via notice of violation as required by the County’s Order. I want to thank the management of Buffalo Grille for helping us resolve this issue and thank the officers of both the Houston Police and Fire department’s for working to do the right thing.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Monday that his state’s stay-at-home order will expire Thursday, and businesses will be allowed to begin reopening in phases.
“Now it’s time to set a new course, a course that responsibly opens up business in Texas,” Abbott said. “Just as we united as one state to slow COVID-19, we must also come together to begin rebuilding the lives and the livelihoods of our fellow Texans.”
