Dearborn Police review footage of a violent encounter at a hookah bar.

DEARBORN — On Saturday, March 26, at around 1 a.m., Dearborn Police responded to gunshots being discharged at Warren Ave. and Chase Road.

Those involved in the incident were reportedly leaving a local hookah bar. It marks the latest in a string of altercations between customers at these types of nightlife establishments.

Perhaps more shocking was the violent brawl that erupted at the Hamido restaurant on March 21 between a family and several young men. 

Management at Hamido was able to gain control of the situation and assist the combatants off the property, but the altercation opened the eyes of the community. It depicted a family restaurant with a solid reputation being subjected to reckless behavior from its patrons. 

Business owners in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are taking extra measures to prevent these types of situations from unfolding at their establishments. 

Dr. Chadi Haddad, organizer of “Lebanese Nights” at LaPita Restaurant, told The Arab American News that he learned early on to incorporate security at his parties. 

Describing it as “a Beirut nightclub meets Detroit”, Haddad has successfully operated the Saturday get together for more than seven years. 

“We have security that screens people at the door,” Haddad said.  “If people are dressed inappropriately, or if they are coming in drunk, we won’t let them enter. We also have security inside that is watching their behavior. We aren’t afraid to kick people out if they are offending people.” 

Haddad said the string of violent altercations at Dearborn establishments has given these types of parties in the Arab community a bad rep. 

He said it’s unfair to blame hookah bars and late night parties for the rise of violence, citing the Hamido incident as an example.

“It has nothing to do with the hookah bars or if there is alcohol being served,” Haddad said. “It comes down to people’s attitudes and not being raised well. You are not supposed to be making inappropriate comments to people older than you. You are not supposed to be treating women poorly. How would you feel if those were your daughters or sisters being harassed?”

Haddad said that if other establishments want to survive the nightlife scene, then they need to invest in security – even if it means losing a few bucks.

“You have to spend money on security,” Haddad said. “You cannot have any tolerance for inappropriate behavior. You have to learn how to be able to turn people away.  It’s better than ending up with a huge fight, getting your place damaged or receiving a ticket from the police. It’s just not worth it.”

Wayne County Sheriff Deputy Chief Mike Jaafar, whose wife is part owner of The Lava Lounge in Dearborn Heights, said a respectable atmosphere begins by weeding out the bad apples and keeping them from entering an establishment.

At The Lava Lounge, a sign displayed at the front door states the dress code and expected demeanor by which customers are required to adhere. 

Jaafar said a dress code is key to limiting inappropriate behavior at the hookah lounge and restaurant. 

“If you can avoid having those types of clients, that will be half the battle,” he said. “And that’s right at the front entrance of our door. We reserve the right to refuse service to any customer that doesn’t comply.”

Jaafar noted that the business has established a family friendly environment. Ensuring it stays that way requires staff and management to be observant at all times.

Still, a problem can strike unexpectedly and it leaves management no choice but to handle it in a swift manner.

Jaafar cited one incident concerning a customer at The Lava Lounge who appeared to be harassing a woman, forcing management to intervene and give him a warning.  

The male patron did not take the warning lightly and was escorted out of the premises.

Jaafar believes there’s a behavioral pattern amongst some young men in the community and that it begins at home.

“Unfortunately this traces back to the way they are growing up,” Jaafar said. “Every community has its rotten apples, including ours. But I believe that if some of these kids are persistently acting like fools, then the problem goes back to how their parents are raising them at home.”

Dr. Hoda Amine, a community social worker, told The Arab American News that erratic behavior by young Arab men has become a growing concern because of lack of structure at home.

“When my kids were growing up, we used to go to the mosque,” Amine said. “Now, these kids today only know about hookah bars and party buses. There is no longer any communication between children and their parents.”

Amine said that some Arab households raise their sons to feel like they are indestructible and dominant, building them up to an ego that can be conflicting outside the house. 

Other young men act out in anger because they are repressing feelings of hurt and disappointment. Amine noted that everything from social, political and financial components are directly impacting people’s daily behavior. 

“Underneath the anger is the feeling of fear and hurt,” Amine said. “The outside is looking in on us. It has become increasingly difficult to defend ourselves. So, if there is an opportunity to release some sort of anger, it comes out in a destructive way.” 

In Arab households, it’s very unlikely for family members to reveal their feelings to each other. Amine said she’s noticed that Arab parents aren’t communicating with their children as much as they should. 

With technologies such as social media and instant messaging, it’s become increasingly difficult to gain a child’s attention. Parents can help facilitate communication by implementing simple rules such as no phone usage during dinnertime, allowing intimate sessions among the family without any outside distractions. 

She said parents need to implement rules for their children at a young age, because once they become adolescents, it’s too late. 

“Don’t start to change things when they are already teenagers,” Amine said. “You have to start when they are learning and developing. The first seven years are very important to set the base. But after the age of 14, it becomes too late. They’ve already formed their personalities.”