LV City Council revokes liquor license of market

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 10:54 a.m.

Taking the liquor license away from one West Las Vegas convenience store won't change a crime-ridden area, but the Las Vegas City Council says it is a start.

The City Council voted 6-0 Wednesday to revoke the liquor license of Kings Market, 2333 Martin Luther King Blvd., where people have sought refuge after being shot and where gang members allegedly have sold drugs in the parking lot. Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald was absent for the vote.

Attorney Benson Lee, representing the store's owners, Abraham Ogbamichael and Mohamed Nagi Obeid al Dhali, said he would discuss with his clients their options, which include seeking a temporary restraining order from District Court. Other West Las Vegas convenience stores have gone that route after their liquor licenses were revoked, with mixed results.

Lee indicated his clients should not be blamed for the crime, and said it was not proven at Wednesday's 90-minute hearing that the store was the source of crime. He equated it to when gunman Zane Floyd killed four people and wounded a fifth at a Las Vegas Albertson's grocery in 1999, noting no government agency took action against that market's liquor license.

"What we've heard today is an indictment against the city of Las Vegas (that) this conduct takes place in any ward," Mayor Oscar Goodman said. He criticized testimony from police and others that predominantly black West Las Vegas always has been a crime-ridden area and that nothing will change that.

"It's a statement I cannot accept," Goodman said. "If that's a fact (that law enforcement) turns its head ... it has to change."

Goodman said crime is a problem in every city ward, noting recent vandalism of new parks in wealthier northwest neighborhoods, including an arson fire that damaged bathrooms at Centennial Park.

Councilman Lawrence Weekly, a black man who grew up in West Las Vegas, said, "I'm saddened by the testimony. ... When are we (black people) going to start to ask that we want more?

"This store has not been harmonious to our neighborhood for a long time."

Lee said the City Council did not have a clear reason to take away Kings Market's liquor license -- the lifeblood of a convenience store -- based on the evidence that was offered.

The one key liquor violation the city presented was that a man four months shy of his 21st birthday bought alcohol at the market.

It appeared the council was more concerned about the shootings and gang activity in the parking lot, which City Attorney Bill Henry presented through testimony from three police officers.

Metro Gang Unit Officer Ron Freerksen testified that "almost on a daily basis" he saw some suspicious-looking activity such as alleged drug sales in the parking lot. He testified that when he pulled into the parking lot youths hanging around outside routinely would rush into the store.

He said the 369 calls of complaint to police about Kings Market during a five-year-period was "disproportionate" for a convenience store.

Customers testified that they never saw anything illegal going on inside the store and said that despite incidents of bullets occasionally riddling the front of the establishment they felt safe shopping there.

In August 1999, James Clark Lee, 25, stumbled into the doorway of Kings Market and died after he was shot several times while sitting in his car at the intersection of Carey Avenue and Martin Luther King. There have been three other shootings near the store this year, police said.

Ogbamichael, who during his six years as co-owner of the store has been robbed and assaulted, testified that he had considered hiring security guards and repairing a videocamera outside the store.

"We try our best to address our problems," Ogbamichael said, noting he voluntarily removed gaming machines to discourage loitering.

However, under cross-examination, Ogbamichael said he first contacted a security company about hiring guards about three weeks ago after receiving a letter from the city about the revocation action.

In May the council took similar action against another West Las Vegas convenience store, revoking the liquor license of Food Fair Market at 632 H St., saying the owner, Rageh Hashem, was contributing to blight in the area. Metro Police described that parking lot as a haven for loitering and drug deals.

Hashem's attorney at the time said his client reported crimes and did his best to improve the area. Hashem has filed suit against the city claiming the license revocation was based on unsubstantiated allegations.

In April 2001 the City Council revoked the liquor license of the Day & Night Convenience Store at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Owens Avenue after employees were caught selling alcohol to minors on at least six occasions. Police also said teens loitered around the parking lot to deal drugs.

The owner obtained a temporary restraining order and within a week of the council's ruling was again selling beer and wine there. The store eventually went out of business.

The council also was sued in 2001 after denying another West Las Vegas convenience store owner a new liquor and gaming license. The council's decision in that case was upheld by a District Court judge.