Police to Ask City to Close Stargate Club
Citing a history of brawls at a Thousand Oaks nightclub, the East County Sheriff’s Department has asked the city to close the club.
Police are scheduled to take their case to the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission on Monday, requesting that the city revoke the Stargate nightclub’s permit to sell alcohol and allow dancing.
City planners agree that the club should be closed but have recommended that the restaurant to which Stargate is attached, Tebo’s Baja Grille, remain open.
Police say problems at the club, formerly called the Red Onion and Avenues, have gone on for years. Between Jan. 1 and last Monday, police received reports of 27 incidents at the club.
Police complain that the club draws gang members from throughout Ventura County who drink and scuffle in the parking lot.
But Stargate’s management says police consistently overstate the problems at their establishment. Owner Emre Sarihan said a recent fight that police said involved 100 people actually involved 10.
“It’s going to happen, there’s going to be an incident every now and then,” he said. “But they make it look like there’s a fight every night.”
Responding to police complaints, club management canceled Teen Night programs in January.
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