Downtown Community Policing Advisory Board Meeting

Dave Bullock []

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Earlier this week I attended my first meeting. Oddly enough for a meeting hosted by Sergeant Walker of the LAPD Vice Unit, the get-together was held at Bordello, formerly Little Pedros.

This was my first CPAB meeting, and I found it interesting that virtually every trendy alcohol serving establishment in Downtown was represented. CPAB allows the community to interface directly with LAPD to discuss issues directly pertaining to their needs, and it was good to see the relationship Downtown's nightlife spots have established with LAPD.

Notable attendees included representatives from Royal Claytons, 213 Ventures (Seven Grand, Cole's, Broadway Bar, Golden Gopher), The Edison, and Bordello (obviously). Also in attendance were the Kor Group, CCA, Russell Brown (DLANC President), Elizabeth Peterson and Brandy Chappell (from Jan Perry's office).

In the last year and a half, there have been 120 new alcohol licenses requested, many of which have been approved. LAPD doesn't want any new licenses inside the Safer City zone, which is from Main to Alameda, bordered by 4th and 7th. This area has some exceptions, including 6th street between Main and Los Angeles where the PE and Santa Fe lofts both have been granted multiple licenses. There was some talk of USC students having fake ID cards that beat the magnetic strip scanners that most bars have, and Sergeant Walker recommended that bouncers double check all ID cards with current guide books.

Another topic of discussion were hostess bars, those odd Downtown spots that aren't quite strip clubs. Jan Perry's representative stated that CD9 does not support the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) renewal for any of the existing hostess bars in her district, but she is not actively trying to pull their permits.

Parking for new establishments, which require 2 spots per 1000 square feet, has been an issue. I recommended that the city flex its imminent domain muscle and turn some of the single level Joe's lots into Los Angeles City Public Parking garages. Ideally these lots would have pocket parks built in on their rooftops. What can I say, I'm a dreamer.

The next CPAB meeting is scheduled for August 1st, 1pm at The Edison.