VFW club losing battle to keep its doors open

On Nov. 7, two men entered the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10057, forced a third man outside to the back of the club, and stole the man's jewelry, cash and car keys.

Then, for good measure, they took his clothes and made him walk home nude.

When Las Vegas police showed up and asked why no one at the H Street club had reported the robbery, the response was nonchalance, according to city of Las Vegas documents. The victim, police were told, got what he deserved.

The incident is one of a long list of complaints that have landed the club in hot water with police and the city.

Though the post has been licensed since 1968, that license is at risk because of repeated reports of underage drinking, fights, drug dealing and noncompliance with licensing rules.

"There's a pattern or practice of criminality occurring inside the VFW post, or in the immediate vicinity outside," said Bill Henry, Las Vegas' senior litigation attorney. "It seems to be getting worse."

No, it's not, countered post manager Albert Young. He said that the situation is "75 percent improved" from two years ago and that the post is being unfairly tarred by the actions of people outside its control.

The robbery/stripping incident, for example, was a family dispute that just happened to unfold outside his club, Young said.

He also feels the post is in a Catch-22 situation: They look bad if they try to handle situations themselves and fail, but the times they called police for assistance are now being used to show the business creates problems.

The Las Vegas City Council will consider disciplinary action against the VFW post next month.

Young is upfront about the fact that his club's record isn't perfect.

In September, for example, police arrested two people selling cocaine in the post's parking lot.

A fight in July reportedly involved 20 people; one in September involved nine.

In October, a VFW security guard threw out two fighting patrons, but the combat continued outside, and one man was stabbed with a box cutter.

And in February, members of rival gangs exchanged gunfire in the parking lot.

The drug busts (there was another one in July) were welcome, Young said. "I was glad they were arrested. Yes, I was."

But he also feels officials aren't being fair.

"Anything that happens in this area is considered as we're responsible for it. If we call for service, which we do sometimes, it counts against us. We can't control everything that goes on."

In pushing for disciplinary action, city officials contend the club isn't trying to control much of anything.

The current allegations stretch back to April 2005, when police detective Mike Springer reported that the club was staying open after hours to sell liquor to minors.

"This isn't just a matter of an isolated incident," Councilman Ricki Barlow said. "We're going into 2008 with very similar issues."

Barlow represents Ward 5, which includes the post's location on the southeastern edge of Doolittle Park.

Previous council members have heard promises of improvement, and Barlow said he expects to hear the same pitch leading up to January's hearing.

"At what point are they going to keep their end of the bargain?" he said. "There are residents who fear for their lives passing by the property."

In addition to the violent incidents, complaints include:

• Employees working without the proper work cards.

• Failure to maintain a sign-in list, as the club is for members and guests only, as well as failure to provide a membership list.

• Drinkers allowed to congregate in the parking lot.

Barlow noted that post members themselves -- many of whom are elderly -- have done "great things, not only for this community but for this country."

The problem is "the element that is tolerated at this location. It comes down to poor management. There aren't any rules."

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or (702) 229-6435.