In the late hours of Wednesday, the Binghamton Police Patrol Division was investigating a suspicious person / activity in the Water Street area of downtown. As part of this investigation, Officers were checking businesses to make sure the COVID-19 curfew regulations were being enforced and businesses were secured. Officers found the rear door of Water Street Brewing Company unsecured.
Officers announced themselves several times with no response. Officers noticed interior lights on and loud music playing, and began to enter, finding several people at the bar drinking alcoholic beverages in violation of Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Orders and Binghamton Mayor Rich David’s local curfew orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officers were approached by a bar employee, Nicholas Hall, who told officers to leave and interfered with their attempt to enter the establishment.
Officers returned to Water Street Brewing Company with a Supervisor to make sure the business was now closed and in compliance with the COVID-19 orders. Officers found that loud music was still playing and several people remained inside the bar, drinking alcoholic beverages. Officers knocked on the door and made contact with bar employee Nicholas Hall again, and Kristin Andrascik who identified herself as the bar owner but refused to provide identification.
Andrascik stated the people were employees, but prevented Officers from entering the establishment to confirm. Andrascik and Hall were advised of the COVID-19 orders and guidelines for businesses. Both Andrascik and Hall stated they were aware of the guidelines and still refused to close the business or allow officers inside.
Nicholas Hall and Kristin Andrascik were both later arrested and issued Appearance Tickets returnable to Binghamton City Court at later dates.
Kristin Andrascik, owner of Water Street Brewing, was charged with one count each of Obstructing Governmental Administration under New York State Penal Law and Having Committed a Violation of a Local State of Emergency Declaration under New York State Executive Law, both misdemeanors.
Nicholas Hall was charged with one count of Obstructing Governmental Administration under New York State Penal Law, a misdemeanor.
Additional charges are possible.
The matter is also being referred to the New York State Liquor Authority.
