Davis bar moratorium approved in effort to curb violence
Building moratorium comes after stabbing death of Peter Gonzales
The Davis City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday morning in favor of a building moratorium for bars and nightclubs in an effort to curb violence.
The 45-day moratorium, which targets large establishments of more than 2,500 square feet, affects two pending bar permits, prohibiting new building and expansions of existing bars so establishments can figure out a way to make it safer.
"I think that’s a great thing to do because I think they should wait and they should see," Tres Hermanas in Davis owner Reyna Saenz said.
During the day, the restaurant is draws Davis residents and families. At night, it has a more nightclub atmosphere. Saenz explained that's what she has to do in Davis in order to compete with other restaurants.
"When we moved here, we thought we had to do this whole nightclub scene because that’s what everybody does here in Davis," she said.
The community became concerned after the recent stabbing death of Peter Gonzales, 23, inside the KetMoRee Thai Restaurant and Bar. Gonzales had been celebrating his sister's wedding weekend.
UC Davis students frequent the downtown bars, but worry outsiders are bringing violence into the town.
"The bodyguards should be more attentive to the people, not just at the entrance, but all around," student Guadalupe Alvizar said.
"I really feel like it will limit students for what’s to come in the future," UC Davis senior Kellie Sapad said. "I feel like for those students that enjoy to be out later at night it’s unfair to them."
"They don't really check you for weapons at all," student Neil Valdoz said. "I think if they did that, that would reduce, or prevent, that whole thing from happening."
No restaurants or bars are closing.