Paramount OKs Permit to Reopen Troubled Eatery

A 24-hour restaurant, shut down by city officials after four murders and other violent incidents on the premises, is being allowed to reopen with limited hours.

Last week, the City Council voted to issue a temporary business license allowing owner Jose Acevedo to reopen the Las Playas restaurant on a trial basis, but he must close nightly at 10. The owner must also hire an armed security guard.

The Sheriff’s Department, which provides law enforcement services to the city, will monitor the restaurant and report any violations to the council, said Robert Robinson, city public safety director.

Council Vote

The council will decide whether another an incident or a series of incidents is enough to warrant closing the business, said Councilman Gerald A. Mulrooney. “I don’t think one incident will cause us to shut it down but we’ll just have to judge on what happens,” Mulrooney said.

But Councilman Charles R. Weldon said: “Any criminal activity could be grounds to yank the license.”

The council, which revoked the restaurant’s business license early last month, decided to give Acevedo another chance during a July 5 appeals hearing.

After a presentation by Acevedo’s lawyer, Julia E. Sylva, the council voted 4 to 0 to grant the license for two months. Councilwoman Esther Caldwell was absent. Sylva argued that 85% of the crimes, including the murders, occurred between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. By closing earlier, Sylva argued, the restaurant would attract a family crowd and eliminate a bar crowd.

“I think they realize this man is entitled to earn a living and they are willing to give him a chance,” Sylva said.

Councilman Manuel E. Guillen said he was convinced “that he (Acevedo) deserved another chance. We’ll make a review after two months to see if the conditions are being complied with.”

Guillen said officials may give the restaurant a full license eventually “if the conditions are not violated.” He added, however, “as far as I’m concerned, it will never be allowed to open for 24 hours.”

Under the new restrictions, the restaurant will operate between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. After closing, employees will not be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages. The restaurant parking lot must be cleared of all vehicles between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

A uniformed armed security guard must be on the premises between 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. every day. The council initially banned any form of music, but decided to allow a jukebox in the restaurant.

Before the restaurant reopens, numerous Health Code violations and a few Building Code infractions must be corrected, officials said. None are considered major.

Acevedo said he will correct the violations and probably open in about a month.

On June 6, the council voted to declare the Las Playas a public nuisance and ordered the license revoked. The restaurant, which served Mexican-style seafood, is across the street from Paramount High School and near a small shopping center. A low-income neighborhood of small homes also is nearby.

Four young men have been killed there since June, 1987. Three were killed this year. Two of the four victims were shot and killed inside the building. One was killed in the parking lot and the body of the fourth victim was discovered in the lot.

According to reports of criminal activity at the restaurant, there have been 48 criminal complaints since June, 1987, including robberies of patrons, a restaurant robbery, car thefts and assaults, said Robinson, the public safety director.