Lorain City Council voted in favor of removing the liquor permits of three city nightspots they believe are a threat to public safety.
Lorain Councilman Angel Arroyo says council voted to challenge the permits of Club Luna, Mug Shotz Bar and Grill, and The Bootleggers Den.
Arroyo said Club Luna is in his ward, and has generated 119 calls to Lorain police in just the past year.
Arroyo said the club has been the site of shootings, fights and other violence, both inside and outside the East 28 Street facility.
"We want to make sure they're closed down, and make sure that if you can't respect the laws and the rules of the community, you don't open up again in our city," said Arroyo. "Lives are in danger, these are situations where people are shooting weapons. People are being jumped and no one has intervened to stop it."
Mug Shotz Bar and Grill owner Bill Hart responded to the city council decision and says he will fight to preserve his liquor license.
Hart said he's been unfairly lumped in with other problem bars and said many of the police calls to his location were made by a neighbor who wanted his bar closed, and not for acts of violence.
Hart said he is working to make improvements and has hired additional security.
All three nightspots are expected to make an appeal for their liquor permits in front liquor control in Columbus, with the first hearing set for Oct. 1.
