Of the closed establishments, two have already reopened and one more is subject to complaints.
The bar «La Mezcalería» was recently closed after complaints from neighbors in the area for excessive noise. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Three bars in Ajijic have been closed down by the Chapala’s Regulations, Inspection and Surveillance Department since the beginning of the current administration because of complaints from neighbors for excessive noise and exceeding their permitted hours.
The three are La Mezcalería, La Tía and La Parranda Bar (the latter two were closed months ago), all located in the center of the town, because they stayed open past mandated closing time and exceeded legal noise levels, according to Acting Delegado Maximiliano Macías Arceo.
He explained that the managers of the establishments that were closed were warned about the complaints of the neighbors; however, they ignored them.
«The closed businesses had already been previously warned about the rules they were breaking, especially the hours of operation. We know that young people have their recreational places but in some situations the owners think that there will be no repercussions; but they can’t be violating everything and get away with it,» commented Macías Arceo.
Inspectors from the Regulations Department monitor the areas with these types of businesses during the weekends at night, making sure that they comply with the closing hours, as well as that the sound volume is within the allowed decibels, which is measured with a sound level meter donated to the municipality.
The closures have caused a stir among the inhabitants of Ajijic, who, both in social networks and in interviews conducted by this newspaper, have shown conflicting positions on whether it is right or wrong to resort to this type of sanctions.
«Most of those who complain are Americans, they are not from here and very few attend these places. Now, if they want to start with closures, let them be even, and also do it to event halls, events in the lienzo, and even in the plaza, which have music at full volume, sometimes all night long, and nobody calls their attention, nor regulates them», shared Laura, a local resident.
In contrast, there are those who side with the authority, saying that if they set an example with the businesses that evade the norms, the others will automatically align themselves with what is indicated by Padrón y Licencias. «There is no way that they will continue with their violations if they have already seen that others have been shut down for the same thing,» said another interviewee.
Maximiliano Macías added that the owners of these businesses, upon applying for and paying for the licenses, are given the hours and rules of operation of their businesses, so they cannot plead ignorance. He also suggested that the managers take measures to ensure that their customers leave when closing time is approaching.
According to Macías Arceo, the hours allowed for this type of establishments are a 12:00 a.m. closing from Monday to Thursday and Sundays, and on Fridays and Saturdays closing time is 2:00 a.m.
On the other hand, live music is allowed until midnight any day of the week, but with a maximum of 55 decibels, established in accordance with the Anti-noise Law of the state of Jalisco.
Of the three closed establishments, La Tía and Parranda Bar have already reopened their doors, while El Camaleón bar has been the subject of complaints by neighbors, it has not been closed.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
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