Fells Point businesses raise concern over juveniles, open containers, illegal liquor sales

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Large and at times, disorderly crowds gathered in Fells Point over the weekend.

Business owners shared with FOX45 News images of empty liquor bottles in trash vans and pouches they say are being used to sell alcohol without a proper permit.

“These kids are smoking weed, they’re drinking liquor, they’re underage, they have people selling alcohol that don’t have a liquor license, don’t pay taxes on their purchases, don’t have to buy from a licensed purveyor. All the things that we have to do to own a business,” said Patrick Russell, owner of Kooper’s Tavern and Slainte.

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“There were thousands of people down here,” said Beth Hawks, the owner of a boutique shop called Zelda Zen. “There were open containers, handles of liquor, weed, people screaming, jumping on cars, twerking.”

“It’s exhausting. It’s not gotten better. We haven’t seen it this bad since the pandemic,” Hawks added.

Back in 2021, fights, shootings, assaults, a buildup of trash, open containers and illegal liquor sales prompted dozens of Fells Point business owners to threaten to withhold their tax revenues until “basic city services were restored.”

In 2024, new signage was posted throughout the historic district to help address open containers and enforce the City’s curfew for juveniles.

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And, in 2025, Baltimore Police announced the formation of its Entertainment Unit.

This Unit includes enhanced police presence and focuses on community-based policing strategies in the City’s top social hubs in order to better address violence and quality-of-life crimes.

FOX45 News sent a list of questions to Baltimore Police asking the following:

• How many arrests were made in the historic district and for what crime?
• Was anyone cited for the illegal sale of alcohol?
• How many open container citations were issued?
• Was anyone cited for disorderly conduct?
• Were any juveniles arrested? If so, for what crime?
• Did BPD enforce the curfew for juveniles?

The Department has not yet responded.