A large crowd that threw bottles and rocks at police during a disturbance outside the Key Club on Jan. 6 has prompted West Hollywood city officials to examine security planning measures in place at nightclubs within the city.

Approximately 50 to 60 people were involved in a disturbance outside the Key Club on Jan. 6. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The problems at the Key Club occurred around 10:30 p.m. after two audience members at a punk rock concert were ejected from the club by security guards. The two suspects, Robert James Bezeeley, 20, and Gabriel Jesse Ruiz, 19, had been involved in separate assaults on the security guards inside the club, and were being detained by the guards until deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station arrived. While Bezeeley and Ruiz were being arrested by deputies, the crowd inside the Key Club grew unruly, according to Lt. Lawrence Del Mese, with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. The management decided to cancel the show — which featured the bands Youth Brigade and T.S.O.L. — and approximately 300 to 400 people were ordered to leave. As the crowd began filing out, roughly 50 to 60 people began throwing rocks and bottles at the sheriff’s deputies. Del Mese said the deputies at the scene called for back up, which included another 40 deputies from the West Hollywood Station, as well as officers from the Beverly Hills Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division, and other sheriff’s stations.

“The situation lasted about thirty minutes,” Del Mese said. “We kept a distance from the crowd until the other personnel arrived, and then we used less than lethal means to disperse the crowd.”

Del Mese said police fired bean bag rounds, rubber bullets and pepper spray canisters at the crowd, which eventually dispersed. Members of the crowd were reportedly picking up rocks from decorative planters along Sunset Boulevard and throwing them at officers. Sunset Boulevard was closed between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard during the melee.

“We kept the crowd a bay, there was a thirty to forty yard distance kept from the crowd, and we used force in response to force,” Del Mese said. “We tried to target the individuals throwing the bottles and rocks.”

Sheriff’s officials said because of the size of the crowd and the distance from the deputies, it was not safe to go after the individuals who were dispersing. Del Mese said Bezeeley and Ruiz were charged with felony assault for the incidents inside the club, and remain in custody. One other unidentified person was arrested for being drunk in public outside the club, and Del Mese said that individual was not believed to be involved in the melee.

Del Mese said the incident was extremely unusual in West Hollywood, but that it has prompted officials to examine ways to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Sheriff’s Department officials and representatives of the city’s Commercial Code Compliance Division met with the management of the Key Club on Monday to review the procedures. Lt. David Smith, of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, said the incident illustrates one of the challenges police face in maintaining public safety.

“Both the city and the department do research into what bands are coming in, and we look at anything that sticks out as a problem based on previous performances,” Smith said. “You never know what kind of crowd you are going to have to deal with. We’ve had many punk shows that have not turned into something like this.”

Smith said in general, the management of a particular nightclub will come to the city and the sheriff’s department if there is a controversial act that is going to play and it is anticipated there needs to be an increased police presence. The club will hire extra deputies to respond if necessary. No previous problems had been identified with the bands that were to perform last Thursday, so no additional police presence was requested. Smith said different clubs in the city hire the extra deputies approximately 25 to 30 times a year, on average.

“The city takes situations like this very seriously,” Smith said. “We’ve had the extra security hired for the House of Blues and the Key Club, now and then. The Key Club had hired the extra security for Friday night for a show by the Dog Pound, a rap concert, and nothing happened. You really never know, and we just have to be ready no matter what happens.”

The management of the Key Club could not be reached for comment. An apology was posted on the club’s website.

“Key Club would like to sincerely apologize to the city of West Hollywood and our incredibly loyal fan-base for the unfortunate events that occurred last night. We work hard every day to provide a safe and enjoyable concert experience for all of our patrons. We hope that you will continue to trust and support us in the future!” the apology stated.

Jeffery Aubel, the commercial code compliance manager for the City of West Hollywood, said the department is recommending the Key Club be placed on probation for six months as a result of the incident. The recommendation will be made to the city’s Business License Commission, which will address the matter at its March 1 meeting. Aubel confirmed that the city staff works with the sheriff’s department to curtail problems at the clubs, and said no problems had been expected at the show. He added that all clubs are required to submit security plans to the city that detail how many guards are on duty, what the policy is for searching guests, and other measures. The Key Club had been in compliance with those rules, he added.

“We will be reviewing the shows they have in the future,” Aubel said. “I’ve been here sixteen years, and I have never seen anything like it.”

Another violent incident occurred at a nightclub in Hollywood on Jan. 7, when a security guard was shot in the torso following a disturbance at Kress, located at 6608 Hollywood Blvd. According to Lt. Robert Binder, with the LAPD’s Hollywood Division, the security guard was attempting to intervene in an altercation between two patrons inside the club around 11:45 p.m. when an unidentified suspect fired one shot, hitting the guard. The victim was transported to the hospital and is recovering, Binder said. The suspect was not identified, and there were no arrests, he added.

Binder said the problems in Hollywood have largely been addressed by adding more police officers during busy weekend nights. The LAPD assigned an additional 40 officers to Hollywood on the weekends approximately 18 months ago, Binder added.

“Since we brought in those officers, we haven’t seen the kind of problems that were occurring before they were assigned to Hollywood,” Binder added. “The most difficult time for us is around 2 a.m., when people are coming out of the clubs. It’s an absolute law enforcement nightmare, and having those extra officers really makes a difference.”

Binder said the management of the clubs in Hollywood also work with police officials on safety procedures, and will ask for additional assistance if a controversial act is coming to town.

“The problems in Hollywood are a little different than other parts of the city,” Binder added. “We have to address a variety of problems, and we do our best to assess the situation and keep a lid on potential problems before they get out of hand.”