New twist in issue

A local bar that has been under scrutiny by neighbors citing its loud music and late-night violence has been operating without a valid parish liquor permit for more than seven months, according to parish records.

Neighbors of L-10’s Saloon on East Admiral Doyle Drive have filed numerous complaints with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office over the past year about bar patrons who have fought in their yards, blocked their driveways with vehicles and fired gunshots — all between 3 and 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Barbara Hebert said she and other neighbors addressed the Iberia Parish Council about the problems in April, which put a temporary end to the noise and violence. But the noise and violence have returned and worsened, Hebert said.

Hebert notified the Parish Council about the ongoing problems, and then learned that the parish records show bar owner Terry Bourque does not hold a current parish liquor permit.

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Wendell Raborn said detectives who investigated found one permit valid until October, but Murphy Painter, commissioner of the state Alcohol and Tobacco Control office, said the permit that expires in October is from the state.

The law requires the bar to have state and parish liquor permits to serve alcohol.

Bourque did not return calls made to his cell phone to comment on the local liquor permit, but did say Tuesday that he sells alcohol at the bar until 3:30 a.m.

Painter said if Bourque does not have a parish liquor license, the parish has the authority to close the bar or file a complaint with the state ATC agent for the parish.

If the parish files a complaint through the state, Painter said the state will ticket the bar and give the bar owner six to eight weeks to obtain a liquor permit from the parish. If he fails to comply, the state will hold a hearing to close the bar.

As of this morning, no ticket had been issued, but Painter said he is working with the local ATC agent on the case.

If alcohol is served at the bar after the ticket has been issued, Painter said it can be considered a separate offense.

If Bourque tries to obtain the parish liquor permit within the six to eight weeks, the parish can deny the permit based on the complaints received. If the parish refuses the permit, the council will have to hold a formal hearing to close the bar based on complaints, said Iberia Assistant District Attorney Wayne Landry.

“If I could sell my house I would,” Hebert said. “If I could afford to go sleep at a hotel on Friday and Saturday nights I would. They park along my driveway and fight in the streets.

“It’s a shame when you’re scared to be at your own house and woken up to gunfire at 4 in the morning.”

Karen Savoie, another neighbor, said several incidents have occurred on her property, and said she has found bullet casings in her front yard after hearing gunshots fired throughout the early morning.

“One fight happened on my front porch,” she said. “My porch had puddles of blood and blood splattered on the walls of the outside of the house, even on my windows.

“I’m afraid someone’s going to get shot before something actually gets done.”

Bourque said he understands the noise complaints and admitted his patrons have been “outrageous” recently. He said he added more security personnel and also put additional lighting in the parking lot.

“I sympathize with my neighbors, but I shouldn’t be targeted for it,” said Bourque, who has owned the bar since 1987. “I’ve done everything I can do, and everybody has a job to do. I’m not a nuisance. I’m just a business.”

The bar is open until 4 a.m., at which time sheriff’s deputies arrive to direct traffic from the bar. The gunshots come from patrons who are trying to agitate the police, Bourque said.

“Something’s being done on the bar end,” he said. “Unless the officers start doing their jobs and arrest people with the guns three houses down, that part is give and take. I’m following the law.”