Police Drunk-Driving War to Focus on Pacoima Bars

Branding Pacoima “the worst neighborhood in the city” for drunk-driving problems and alcohol-related offenses, Los Angeles police on Monday targeted 56 bars and restaurants for a special enforcement program that includes linking crimes to specific businesses.

The program calls for stepped-up enforcement in and near bars and restaurants close to the intersection of San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Boulevard. Police said 52 alcohol-related traffic accidents, including 11 fatalities, occurred in that area in 1988. There were 743 drunk-driving arrests made in the same area in the past 16 months.

In addition to increased patrols and undercover operations, police will begin keeping track of arrests for offenses committed by patrons after they have left any of the bars in the targeted area.

Armed with that data, authorities will take action to close specific establishments and revoke their liquor licenses, Sgt. Dennis P. Zine said.

‘Worst Neighborhood’

“We are implementing this program in Pacoima because it is the worst neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles” for alcohol-related crimes, Zine said. “We’ve tried aggressive drunk-driving patrols and sobriety checkpoints . . . but that doesn’t seem to make the change we want to make.”

Details of the plan were outlined at a meeting attended by bar owners, community groups and police at Haddon Avenue Elementary School. Police said letters about the meeting were sent to owners of the 56 bars and restaurants who are the focus of the program, but only 12 proprietors showed up.

Zine said the low turnout “reflects the apathy of bar owners who hold responsibility for people getting slaughtered on our streets.”

However, one bar owner who attended the meeting said he plans to cooperate with police by putting up signs discouraging drunk driving. “I think it’s a good idea what police are doing,” said David Miranda, owner of La Casa del Pero Pelon.

Another proprietor was not as enthusiastic.

“They shouldn’t threaten those who are already concerned,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. The 56 bars are being unfairly singled out, she said, and in many cases the owners are trying to prevent drunk driving by patrons.

After advising the owners of regulations governing alcohol sales, a special police task force began canvassing the targeted area, looking for drunk drivers and for sales to under-age or obviously drunk patrons. However, Zine said, it will be awhile before police can gauge the program’s impact.

Zine said that if the program proves effective, police will use it in other areas of Los Angeles.