Club Regains Permit It Lost After Fight

Despite police testimony that a near-riot took place Feb. 22 at Via Maria Restaurant, the City Council has voted 4 to 1 to restore the dining facility’s live-music permit.

Councilwoman Mary Ann Jones cast the opposing vote. “I still feel there is the issue of health and safety for the community,” she said.

City Manager Mark J. Ochenduszko suspended Via Maria’s music permit last month after an early-morning altercation at the restaurant at 9969 Walker St.

Police Chief Daryl Wicker told the council his department had to summon support police from Buena Park, La Palma, Hawaiian Gardens and Los Alamitos to quell the disturbance.

Cypress police Sgt. Jeff Kepley, who was present during the incident, told the council he considered it a riot. He said about 50 patrons, some of them bleeding from injuries, streamed out of the nightclub in the early morning hours of Feb. 22.

“There were several combatants,” Kepley said. “Numerous fights were in progress.”

Kepley said it took half an hour for the 25 police officers who responded “to control this out-of-control crowd.”

Paul Blumenfeld, co-owner of the restaurant, told the City Council that the incident was very unusual and “will never happen again.” His attorney, Rex Julian Beaber, argued that the city had violated Blumenfeld’s constitutional rights by suspending the music permit.

The council’s vote this week restored Via Maria’s permit on condition that there be no live music on Friday nights for the next 30 days and that a dress code be instituted. Councilman Walter K. Bowman said the permit will be reviewed in 30 days.