WESTMINSTER : City Council Votes Against Arcade

The City Council has voted down a proposal for a video arcade in one of the city’s highest crime neighborhoods, citing possible increases in gang violence in the area.

Brothers Vincent and Joseph Hoang had sought permission to open their arcade at the northeast corner of Wyoming and Golden West streets.

The brothers had submitted a petition with the signatures of 95 area residents supporting the plan, but other local residents submitted a second petition with 28 signatures urging the council to reject the arcade proposal.

Mayor Charles V. Smith, Councilman Craig Schweisinger and Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman voted to uphold the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the permit.

“The Police Department urges us not to approve arcades,” Bohman said at the Dec. 8 council meeting. “It would be foolish to approve what would encourage more loitering and draw gangs.”

But Councilman Frank Fry Jr. argued that the arcade could provide needed recreation for local children.

“We need to give people a place for recreation,” he said. “Otherwise, they might find something else to do that they might not like at all.”

Both Smith and Schweisinger said the arcade might be better suited to a non-residential neighborhood.

Vincent Hoang said that the arcade would not promote gang activity and that he and his brother should be given a chance.

“They have a bias against arcades,” he said.