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Citing a report from the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department concerning safety around the Club La Cascada bar at 6550 Kaw Drive, the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners voted to uphold a denial of license to continue operations.

The board voted unanimously to uphold the denial, which was challenged by owner Aurelio Nevarez and area attorney John Irvin. The denial was issued earlier this year.

A KCKPD report indicated that over 50 crimes, including homicide, drug deals, arsons and assault, occurred either in the bar or in its proximity.

Irvin argued in defense of Nevarez.

"I don't think there's anything that the owner did intentionally," Irvin said. "A lot of those incidents occurred before (Nevarez was the owner.)."

Officer William Howard spoke about his department's report.

"After 40 calls, you should see a theme of violence and a pattern of criminal activity," he said.

Howard outlined several incidents to the UG's board members in support of his report and the decision to deny Nevarzez a license.

Most notably, a homicide occurred outside the bar in February of this year. A previous arson to a vehicle in the bar's parking lot led the homicide, Howard said.

Howard also outlined a case where drugs were hidden behind the bar. He added the bar had served teenagers alcohol, which is illegal.

"At this time, it is felt that there is sufficient cause to beleive that the owner cannot maintain order on this premise, making this location a public nuisance," Howard said in his report.

Irvin said the owner was never charged with selling alcohol to minors and said drugs were not stored inside the bar.

However, UG commissioners took the side of the police report, voting unanimously to deny the license again.