Community members in South L.A. are trying to get a local liquor store to stop selling alcohol. Century Liquor is across the street from a new library and some neighbors say it’s dangerous to sell alcohol near a facility that caters to youth. The store owners say they’re being blamed for violence in the neighborhood that has little to do with their business. Let us know what you think, by commenting below.
17 Comments
I think that "revitalization" of a corner shouldn't have to rely on more heavy-handed "We know what's best for you" policies. We need to employ some good social science and define what "revitalize" means for this community. With that definition secured, we need to employ techniques that will achieve that end.
Private land use on this intersection might play only a small role in the character and safety of the area. My instincts tell me that improved, widened, and multi-modal public roads and quality sidewalks could do a lot more for this community than an empty store-front where the liquor store used to be.
1) City should pay owners of Century Liq to move elsewhere if they want to continue operating a liquor store OR, pay them the worth of the liquor store and convert it to a small grocery that would serve the needs of the community, provide an actual service all could use, and cease being a magnet for the kinds of crime and squalor that surround the store today.
Would be safer for customers AND staff.
2) City Council should make it much, much harder to acquire a liquor license and should also insist on built-ins, like mandatory parking lot patrol by security; no sale of candy, soda that would attract juvenile clients; more police citations for public drunkeness.
3) There should be some kind of ratio that decrees how many liquor stores can be operated in a neighborhood according to size, population density, proximity of like services, etc.
This isn't rocket science. But both elected officials and civic activists have to work together to get this done. You don't see this problem in Palos Verdes or Santa Monica.
Assuming the store remains open, what other measures could be taken to improve the safety around this intersection? More visible police presence? Surveillance cameras?
I don't see a liquor store on the corner of Rodeo drive and Wilshire. Why do Urban, low income neighborhoods have to be targets of Liquor sales? Away with the Liquor store!!
I don't think Silver Lake or Los Feliz are "low income" neighborhoods. Yet both have liquor marts and manage not to be riddled with crime. And frankly I'd prefer living in those communities than ultra-sanitized Beverly Hills.
What I'm saying is that what constitutes a "problem" store in an area is entirely relative. Seems to me the thing to do is not to oust an operation that is after all selling a legal product, but encourage a healthy, vibrant mix of many different kinds of retail/public space/etc.
Has anyone expressed interest in buying the building or the store? Don't blame the store owners. They have the right to make a living, even if selling liquor to alcoholics is ethically dubious. What financial incentives could be provided to the owners so that they could close up shop or run a different kind of retail business? Businesses and corporations, as well as non-profits, love tax incentives. What about artists who might need cheap work space? The definition of "revitalize" can go so many different ways. Regardless of whether a person works at the store or spends money at the store, law-abiding residents shouldn't be punished with an empty, dilapidated storefront.
Turn it into a convenience store. Let the owners keep their business and their livelyhood.
Honestly, I think this is kind of BS ... so the store sells liquor, it's not the merchants fault if his customers abuse it ... true, the owner could, and should not push the kinds of cheap booze that has plagued this community - but who are we to tell him not to operate a legal business the way he wants?
The real problem is the lack of jobs, education, and community support for the homeless, and those involved in drug dealing and prostitution.
We're interviewing Councilmember Bernard Parks on Monday about the revitalization efforts in South LA and these comments are really helpful. The more we explore this story, the more complicated and multi-layered it becomes - thank you for your interest and be sure to check in next week to see the full story.
Shereen Meraji (web producer, KCET)
it needs to GO and make room for something that will enrich the community...
absolutely...GO!
There is more surrounding this debate, and a good starting point for anyone interested in learning more would be to consider the work of the Community Coalition. They can be found at www.cocosouthla.org.
I look forward to hearing the full report. I think the liquor store owners have an opportunity to convert their business into a mini-mart stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Indeed, "there are other ways to make money in South LA besides liquor."
While it's true that you can't blame a business owner for the actions of his customers, as a business operating in a community that business owner needs to ensure that he is playing by the rules and showing respect to the neighborhood that surrounds his business.
For example, one needs to look into WHY there are crimes being committed around this liquor store:
-Is there enough lighting at night?
-Is the type of liquor being sold contributing in any way?
-Does the business need to hire a permanent security guard to ensure things are run smoothly?
-Is the building owner not maintaining the property to a level conducive to bringing in customers who have a reason to be there -- cleaning up tagging, and garbage, etc.?
These mitigating measures and others can ease the obvious burden on the neighborhood, and in most cases can ensure that the business owner can make money, and the community is left with a much better-looking building that's not an empty storefront.
When it comes to safety, a wide, fast, road is a terrible waste of this intersection. If people are coming here to drink and hang around, dignify their presence with something other thn an ugly parking lot.
This would be a great opportunity to activate a different sort of retail corner if parking restrictions were loosened up (i.e. total parking spots required taken away) for other uses.
The City's role with the sidewalks and intersection design also play a huge role in determining who feels comfortable and safe in a place like this.
Community Coalition typically disseminates misinformation. “They” did not impose restrictions on this liquor store. The Planning Department Zoning Administrator did. “They” did not build a multi-million dollar library across the street. The Library Department did. “They” are not in the process of creating new tennis courts, basketball courts, playground areas and new baseball diamond. The department of Recreation and Parks is. They need to stop taking credit for items they have no involvement in.
Revitalization via land use change typically happens at the behest of government. The elected officials who have governed this area over the years have attempted to change this neighborhood by changing the landscape of City owned property which in turn atrracts developers to the area. Councilmember Bernard Parks should be applauded for his efforts in pushing for a new library, park and overall revitalization efforts in this neighborhood.
Community Coalition needs to stop targeting law-abiding businesses and start focusing on the real issue, the family unit in low income communities. Parents need to step to the plate and parent their children. This liquor store would not be a topic if the social ills of this neighborhood did not exist.
I propose Community Coalition change their directive to Community Family Coalition, whereby they focus on assisting single mothers and families raise productive members of society. It takes a village.
I don't think the liquor store is to blame for the conditions of the community. That is a much deeper problem. I do think they should comply with the requests made of them to help make the situation slightly better.
Those cut outs of transients and gang members shown on the video will not decrease significantly if the store is shut down. Across the street shown in the video is an public housing facility that houses mentally ill/drug intervention individuals on SSI. I know because I had a relative living there. Next to that building is a building called Portals which helps adult men and women with chronic mental illness – many with a history of repeated inpatient admissions. Portals is also a safe haven for my relative and many other individuals - some who are housed and some who are homeless.
Those two building were there before the library also. Maybe those two buildings contribute more than the liquor store to the amount of transients on the street and other problems because drugs and mental illness often intermix. Perhaps before spending the 20 million on the library they should have done some research on the demographics of the neighborhood and maybe built another public housing facility to get more transients off the street, or a job placement facility.
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Ms. Bonita says :
39th and Western is not the only corner liquior store. Take a look at 92nd and Central Ave. Jan Perry's district. Just a few years ago this end of the block was fairly quiet but since the liquior store was alowed to open it has gotten very dangerous. Help educate the public when applications are submited for alcohol permits. Homeowners should be held accountable also for the character of tenants they rent to along with the business owners.