Police target gaming arcade propery owners

BROWNSVILLE - As Brownsville continues to permit gaming arcades, the police department continues to shut them down though even more reopen. However, Chief of Police Carlos L. Garcia is eyeing a rarely used tool in efforts to dent what he says is organized criminal activity.

Indicating that the some arcades are operated contrary to law and in rental properties, Garcia said that property owners could be held responsible for activity in their properties under nuisance abatement statutes.

"Let's be very specific," the police chief said. "I'm talking of property leased out to people running illicit activities."

Police could file a civil lawsuit against the property and whoever maintains it, seeking an injunction to stop the activity and requiring a bond to ensure compliance. If the activity doesn't stop or resumes, the bond could be forfeited and the property would be closed for a year.

"The purpose of a nuisance abatement lawsuit is not to show or prove that the property owner is guilty of illegal acts, but rather to prove that the property owner allowed the illegal activity to occur on the property and failed to make reasonable attempts to stop it," according to information from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office.

Property owners have to be careful about who they rent to, the police chief said.

"They can't shrug it off. You cannot act as though you don't know or don't want to know," Garcia said. He emphasized that the properties that could be affected are those leased for arcades time and time again.

Garcia is reviewing the option with Abbott's staff, he said, adding that he hoped that the city would stop issuing permits for arcades.

However, a City Commission majority did not support the proposal in December, although it stopped the special permitting of arcades near churches or residences.

Former Public Utilities Board member Chris Valadez, whose family last year owned property leased to an arcade that police raided, said that property owners should abide by the law.

He also pointed out that the city is permitting the arcades because they are legal.

Valadez said that if the city "really wants to be serious," it should stop permitting arcades.

He said his family's property was sold and that only one arcade had operated in it.

Police raided the Gold Mine at 280 FM 511 Tuesday, seizing 62 machines and other equipment, including a computer with a police evidence sticker, indicating that it had been seized in a prior raid elsewhere.

The city permit reflects that B. S. Wadhwani's B G S Naraindas Inc. owns the building. Wadhwani was not available for comment.