Police warn public of ‘heightened risks’ in and around Mississauga nightclub

Peel police are warning the public about the heightened risks of attending a Mississauga nightclub and the surrounding area following dozens of incidents, most involving firearms.

Police say since January 1, 2021, they’ve been called more than two dozen times to the her. Adult Entertainment Club and the surrounding area on Eglinton Avenue West.

Police say they’ve seized six firearms and investigated four separate shootings in the area, the latest being on August 8 when a traffic stop in the area of the nightclub resulted in the arrest of three men and several loaded firearms were confiscated.

On July 24, three suspects were arrested following an early morning shooting outside the nightclub. One month earlier, shots rang out at the same location and police say they are looking to identify several suspects in connection with that incident.

Surveillance photos of suspects wanted in connection with shooting outside Mississauga nightclub on June 24, 2022. PRP/HO

Investigators say they have also dealt with “numerous” priority calls involving disorderly behaviour associated with the location, adding that the resources allocated to responding to calls at this establishment “impact our ability to respond to other priority calls promptly.”

In an update on Friday afternoon, Insp. Raj Biring said police are willing to work with the nightclub to allow it to stay open but only under certain conditions, which investigators haven’t outlined at this point.

“Management has been working with us and trying to address those [safety] areas. I think there’s steps we can do together, working together, and that is our goal — to make sure we address the community safety aspect and the business to operate, let it operate but again with the parameters that making sure people are safe and the community is safe,” he said.

When asked if police would be doing extra surveillance in the area, Biring said, “Police have contributed a number of resources to the efforts here and those will continue. I am not going to get into the details of that.”

A spokesperson for the nightclub tells CityNews they were preparing a response to the police release but gave no indication when it would be issued.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says it has been in contact with Peel police regarding the incidents reported at the establishment and has begun a regulatory review of their liquor license.

“The AGCO takes a compliance-focused approach to regulation, and our goal is to work proactively with licensees to meet their regulatory obligations,” the AGCO said in a statement on Friday. “But in cases that involve a significant breach impacting the public interest, the AGCO will take strong regulatory action to protect the public.”