Task Force Closes 6 Pacoima Bars Over Wage, Labor Code Violations
A task force of vice officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and investigators from the California Labor Board and state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has closed six Pacoima bars over wage and labor code violations.
The undercover crackdown, which took place from 8 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday, was part of an ongoing police effort to curb drunk driving in the Pacoima area, Sgt. William Thomas said.
“We’ve been trying to get our bars and liquor stores under control for the last six months,” Thomas said. “We have probably more bars and liquor stores than any place in the city. Consequently, we have one of the highest drunk-driving arrest problems in the city.”
The bars were closed for employing “B-girls” for less than minimum wages, Thomas said. A B-girl, or bar girl, fraternizes with male customers and urges them to buy more drinks. She is paid a percentage of drink tabs.
The six bars were Ramos Place, 11647 Glenoaks Blvd.; El Recrearo, 13168 Van Nuys Blvd.; Talpita, 13180 Van Nuys Blvd.; El Pelanque, 9201 San Fernando Road; El Parral, 10903 San Fernando Road; and El Capri, 13289 Van Nuys Blvd.
The six bars cannot reopen until they make arrangements to pay fines, which total about $85,000, Thomas said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
