Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly is calling for a summit on downtown violence in the wake of the fatal weekend stabbing of an American sailor that resulted in a local man being charged with murder.

"We need to have a dialogue as to what is going on and what we could be doing different and better to ensure it is a safe place in which to be," Kelly said Monday.

Damon Crooks, 28, of Florida died early Saturday outside the nightclub Rain on Argyle Street, a busy strip filled with restaurants and bars.

Cory Wright, 23, who was charged with first-degree murder, made a brief appearance in provincial court on Monday. 

Halifax Regional Police say Crooks and another sailor, who suffered minor injuries, were trying to break up a bar fight that spilled into the street.

More police, cameras considered

Kelly said the incident has pushed the issue of downtown violence to the top of his agenda.
 
The mayor is considering a range of options, from more police patrols to video surveillance, to deal with the violence. He hopes to meet with police, bar owners, liquor inspectors and other groups this week.

Alcohol fuels the problem, Kelly says.

"When you have such a large number of bars in the downtown — probably one of the largest per capita in the country — it certainly is a point of focus," he said.

David Henry, co-owner of the Economy Shoe Shop next door to Rain, hopes the mayor doesn't make any quick decisions, such as forcing bars to close earlier.

"If he wants to have an open, white-paper discussion, I'm in," he said.

But Henry shares the mayor's concerns about crime in the neighbourhood. Some windows were smashed the night after the stabbing, he points out.

Henry said he's concerned about the type of people Rain is attracting.

"People are wondering if it's a good thing to have that kind of bar on this street," he said.

Criticism unfair, Rain owner says

Rain owner Charlie Khoury says the criticism is unfair.

He said his security staff is careful not to let in people who appear overly intoxicated, and there was no indication of trouble inside the club before it closed Saturday at 3:30 a.m.

"The incident happened a half-hour later," Khoury said. "Unfortunately it happened outside of our establishment."

Wright will remain in custody until his next court appearance on Nov. 21. Two others face lesser charges in connection with the stabbing.