AFTER THE RIOTS : Liquor Stores’ Closure Sought

A group of South-Central Los Angeles residents has filed a protest with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control asking that hundreds of liquor stores be closed because their owners violated provisions of state law.

The group charges that many owners failed to surrender their liquor licenses to state officials after the spring riots--a requirement under state law whenever a liquor business stops operation for 15 consecutive days.

The group’s letter is part of an ongoing effort by residents to block the rebuilding of those stores destroyed during the riots.

Manny Espinoza, ABC deputy director, said the protest was being reviewed. But even if owners knowingly violated the provision, he said, it would be considered a relatively minor violation and would not result in the closure of the business.

Espinoza explained that some liquor store owners have indicated they did not surrender their licenses because the certificates were destroyed in the unrest.