Entertainment Permit OKd Despite Concern

A restaurant has been granted permission to offer entertainment and dancing, despite police concern about gang-related crime in the area.

The City Council this week voted 3 to 1 to allow Maxim’s, 13922 Golden West St., to have live music and dancing on the condition that owners mitigate parking problems and come before the city in six months for review.

During a public hearing, Westminster Police Det. Tom Rackleff said the department has opposed entertainment at Maxim’s since an undercover investigation last year revealed that the establishment was operating as a nightclub without permits.

In addition, Rackleff said, the location “is a high gang-incident area right now . . . and this type of club attracts gang members. We’re very concerned about this operating as a nightclub.”

Benjamin P. Wasserman, attorney for Maxim’s owner Antonio Marquette, denied that the establishment will attract a criminal element. Wasserman said that live entertainment is crucial to Maxim’s competitiveness in the restaurant market.

“This is a restaurant, not a Copacabana where you’ve got entertainment and some finger foods,” Wasserman said. “There’s nothing illegal or improper about a restaurant that offers entertainment.”

After a lengthy debate, the council agreed with Wasserman, but asked that Maxim’s be reviewed in six months.

“I’m doing this because it’s the law, but I am concerned,” said Councilwoman Margie L. Rice.

Councilwoman Margaret Shillington cast the dissenting vote. “I think they’ll use it as a nightclub, and we don’t need that in our city,” she said.