Police Shut Down ‘Nuisance’ Tavern

For the second time in less than a month, state and local law enforcement officials have closed down a bar that police have described as a public nuisance.

Investigators from the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Los Angeles Police Department posted a license-revocation notice on the Maeva bar at 13484 Van Nuys Blvd. Thursday morning.

“This has been probably the most problematic bar in the entire Foothill Division,” said LAPD Sgt. Kris Pitcher. “This action will end a public nuisance and free up police resources in the area.”

The revocation was part of a joint operation between state officials and local police dubbed “Operation ABC.”

The Maeva bar has been the site of numerous fights and disturbances, including a homicide in 1994 and last year’s arrest of one of the bar’s owners on suspicion of attempted murder after he shot a patron, police said.

The co-owner, Joel Torres, was subsequently convicted of assault with a firearm and is now serving time in prison, police said.

Dave Robbins, deputy division chief for ABC in Southern California, said the closure of the Maeva bar should help reduce crime in the area.

“Only about 5% of liquor licensees cause law enforcement problems,” Robbins said, “but the small minority of irresponsible licensees can have a huge impact on increased crime and the reduced quality of life for a community.”

In July, officials revoked the license of another Pacoima bar, El Borrego.

The LAPD is one of 20 law enforcement agencies in California that have received grants from the state to fight alcohol-related crime. A $100,000 grant has led to more than 465 arrests and citations and the collection of more than $370,000 in fines since January, LAPD officials said.