complaints

By Ryan Yousefi

Several businesses located in Tamarac, North Lauderdale, and Lauderhill were reported for not following precautions put in place by the Center for Disease Control in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

As of July 23, the county has received 130 combined complaints about businesses located in the three cities that have been received since early March. Of the complaints received, a total of 57 have resulted in warning citations issued.

The businesses received citations for violations ranging from disobeying orders to those not taking required measures that would allow proper social distancing.

Many of the complaints reference employees and/or customers not wearing masks.

We’ve continued to keep tabs on both the number of complaints received by the county that concern the three cities, as well as the actual warning citations issued to businesses after an in-person review of the situation.

In just the last week alone, Tamarac has seen four warning citations issued to two different businesses at three separate locations.

Both the Wendy’s located at 7025 North University Drive, and the location at 8901 West Commercial Boulevard, was hit with warning citations late last week. The citations were issued for employees either not properly wearing their face masks, or not wearing one at all.

The 7025 North University Drive Wendy’s was also hit with a warning for employees seen not wearing gloves while handling food.

Dairy Queen, located at 7105 North Pine Island Road, received two warning citations, one on June 17, and one on June 22. Both citations mention the absence of masks.

One complaint reported Dairy Queen employees not wearing a mask above their noses, while the other reports customers that were inside the store without a mask on. In this instance, the complaint does make sure to mention the manager telling the customer who refused to wear a mask, they must leave immediately.

In North Lauderdale, six warning citations have been issued since the county began taking complaints. All six citations have been issued in the last two months.

Of the six complaints comes one two-time offender, with a portion of the complaint does not concern CDC guidelines, but state law.

Brady’s Pub, located at 988 South State Road 7, received two citations, both on June 3. Both complaints mention not only that the Pub, at the time, being open against county guidelines, but that it allegedly was conducting illegal gambling operations at the time the citation was issued.

One complaint stated that their father lost all his money on the pubs’ “casino boxes,” and that they are pleading with the county to call the gaming commission to investigate the matter.

In Lauderhill, 20 warning citations have been issued since the beginning of the pandemic. In one instance, to a business seen repeatedly violating guidelines that prohibit large gatherings.

Weddings & Events at Inverrary By Royal Palm Events, located at 3840 Inverrary Boulevard, received a citation on June 8 after a complaint was filed.

In the complaint, the caller alleged the business had been conducted weddings and events almost every weekend, even during the time they were to be closed. The CDC has long prohibited group gatherings of any kind due to the pandemic.

The complaint says when asked why they were open during the period when they were ordered to be closed, the business stated they were following CDC guidelines.

If you believe a business is not complying with emergency orders or CDC guidelines, you can submit a complaint to Tamarac.org/coronavirus or call 311 or the Business Hotline 954-344-5772.

Got News? Send it to Tamarac Talk

Author Profile

Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.