Winston Salem Police+ Greensboro Police+ A Strip Club= Trouble

This is dedicated to Gso City Attorney Linda Miles.

By Ben Holder

The location had been complained about by Glenwood residents for years. Something just was not right about Game Time Lounge. The former lounge was located on Grove street beside Flossie's Gift shop and a Church. The lounge, operated by Otis Dunlap, was a nuisance to the neighborhood. The problem the area had was the large crowds that would gather when the club was open. The lounge rarely held consistent operating hours. One week it was open on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and the next week it would be open on Monday and Wednesday nights. One thing was certain, when Game Time Lounge was open the area residents suffered. Large crowds, gun shots, fights, trash and used condoms entered their home lives.

Relief came in 2003 when the lounge was shut down by the Greensboro Police Vice and Narcotics Division. The search warrant that led to the Greensboro Strip club's closing detailed how on several occasions undercover Winston Salem Police observed offers for prostitution, on stage oral sex as well as a free zone for narcotic violations in the lounge. Why was Winston Salem Undercover officers working a case in Greensboro? Because for years the GPD had tried unsuccessfully to gather information about the club. The police knew what was going on but they just could not prove it. Whenever they planned an investigation Game Time Lounge would be closed. If the club was open and police tried to go in undercover, they would be turned away from the door. It appeared Otis Dunlap planned his schedule around when the police were coming.

Because of the lounge always a few minutes ahead of the police, questions about a connection between Otis and the police came about. Was someone telling Otis when they were coming? Did he have bouncers that knew who the GPD undercover were?

Rumors swirled around the club and its ability to stay open in a residential area. One rumor included former GPD Police Chief Robert White wearing a dread lock wig and going to the strip club to enjoy some of Greensboro's illegal adult entertainment. That is just a rumor. It is what has been said on the street. I personally have never seen Robert White in Game Time Lounge. However, the rumor he did go floated around for some time.

Finally, former Vice Captain Rick Ball launched an investigation that included two Winston Salem Police going to Game Time Lounge. One of the officers had a cast on his arm that held a small hidden camera. During their visits the Winston Salem Police gathered enough evidence to get a search warrant.

The night the warrant was executed police blocked both sides of Grove street to prevent anyone from fleeing the area. The police presence was huge. However, no media was contacted about the closing of Game Time Lounge. The day after the raid, I found out about it. The first thing I did was called Otis Dunlap to ask him what went on at his club the night the police came. The first thing he reported was the police came in asking about what cops he had been working with. Otis explained how he did not have any cops working with him. However, he did have a High Point Fireman working the door the night of the raids.

Several people were arrested on charges from prostitution to operating a brothel. it is unknown what happened to the charges against Otis. Some say they dissapeared when some comoputers crashed at the court house causing several cases to become erased.

Because the police found it odd that a High Point fireman would be moonlighting as a bouncer for an illegal strip club they questioned him about why he was there. The Fireman pointed to a uniformed Greensboro Police Officer turned to Captain Rick Ball and whispered, "Y'all are in here all the time too."

After interviewing Otis several times as well as sending an informant wearing a wire to speak with Otis about possible police collaboration, the police found no evidence of foul play. However, the word eventually got around and at least one media outlet began to question Chief Wray about the exacts of how the department investigates their own.

For two years the GPD could not gather information about a Strip Club where the security included High Point Firemen? It was embarrassing for Chief Wray and he wanted to start keeping tabs on any of the officers that may be working as a double agent. The Game Time Lounge came into question several times. It will get more interesting as it comes to an end. Just remember this, there will be more illegal strip clubs involved as well as deadly tales from Glenwood before all of this is told.