Last year, our friend  was at The Gremlin, a popular venue in downtown McAllen, Texas. They were having drinks with a woman who was severely intoxicated. Due to a lack of security at The Gremlin, two other women came up behind her and assaulted her right on the property. This altercation escalated after initially causing issues at another establishment.

After the shuffle that ensued outside, this same woman, in her impaired state, got behind the wheel of her car. In an attempt to find and run over the women who had assaulted her, she was fortunately stopped by a friend before any tragedy occurred. However, this incident was not an isolated one. Last year, an individual named Dion Summers drove under the influence after being over served at a local venue, Santa Diabla, leading to fatal consequences. These incidents highlight a dangerous pattern in our city.

The city of McAllen needs to take responsibility for these recurring issues. Establishments like The Gremlin and Santa Diabla should be held accountable for over-serving patrons and allowing minors to bring alcohol onto their premises. These venues have become notorious for such problems, with The Gremlin having had next to no security until very recently. There are still multiple entrances left unmonitored even today.

We urge the City to form a task force to ensure real compliance downtown. Too many establishments in McAllen’s entertainment district put profit over safety -- allowing illegal drugs and underage drinking. Drugs are pushed in crowded areas, dark corners, and even restrooms. Where are they coming from? We demand accountability -- not only from businesses, but also from City leadership, as even the one person who spoke out to the Mayor about these issues was fired for telling the truth.

Sign this petition to urge McAllen authorities to enact change and make our community safer for everyone. Together, we can prevent more tragedies from occurring and hold these establishments accountable for endangering the lives of many. Please lend your support by signing below.