Nightclub’s latest sensation: closure
Ryan Carter
Prompted by a recent score of alleged criminal acts in and outside
Sensation Village, a state agency did not renew the nightclub’s
liquor license, effectively shutting it down.
“We’re not going to renew it at this point,” said Timothy Clark,
an administrator for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“If the club and the city resolve the issues, we’ll review it.”
The issues Clark was referring to include allegations of drug
possession, fighting and public intoxication that police have
associated with the club. Those acts prompted the denial of a new
temporary license, Clark said.
Alcoholic Beverage Control reviews applications for licenses to
sell alcoholic beverages. It also determines if applicants can sell
alcohol on their premises.
Late last month, the city revoked the club’s dancing and
entertainment licenses. Having those permits also required obtaining
the alcohol license, Community Development Director Sue Georgino
said.
The revocations and lack of a liquor license will, at least for
the time being, shutter the two-story nightspot at 237 E. Olive Ave.
and its neighboring bar and grill, Gepettos. The answering machine at
the club -- which is near City Hall -- states it is “closed until
further notice.” It closed Dec. 21.
Problems like those at Sensation Village are much less frequent at
other local nightspots, police said. The calls about Sensation
Village prompted surveillance and arrests by a task force that
included the Burbank Police gang unit and special enforcement detail,
as well as state investigators.
In four weekends in November and early December, officers made
five felony arrests of frequent club patrons and handed out almost
300 citations for violations such as marijuana possession and
urinating in public. Officials allege undercover agents bought
marijuana inside the club, and said food, which is required to be
served there under the alcohol-licensing agreement, was not
available.
“I think it’s going to significantly reduce our problem in the
Village area,” Sgt. John Dilibert said. “We won’t have the numbers of
surrounding problems that we attributed to alcohol, such as dope,
fights and urination. The alcohol is simply not there.”
Contacted by phone, a co-owner of the club declined to comment but
said management was planning its next course of action.