PALMDALE : Council Revokes Dance Permit of Troubled Bar

The Palmdale City Council has voted to revoke the entertainment and dancing permits of a bar in the downtown area that Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said has been a magnet for crime problems.

The 4-to-0 council vote Thursday night allows the El Charro at 38535 Sierra Highway to remain open as a bar, but forbids the Thursday through Sunday bands and dancing that the owner called the “bread and butter” of his business. The city had received numerous complaints about the bar in the past and, when it last renewed the bar’s permits, had warned the owner to halt the crime problems or face disciplinary action.

Sheriff’s deputies said they had made 16 felony arrests at or outside the bar since February and were being called there on average 10 times a week. The bar’s owner said he plans to meet with deputies to discuss security improvements that might ease the city’s concerns.