As a result of combined efforts by the Des Moines Police Department and the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Redondo Bar and Grill's liquor license has been suspended.

The Liquor Control Board issued an emergency 180-day liquor license suspension on Oct. 11.

"That's the tool that we have available with problem licensees that won't work within the rules provided by the state," said Susan Reams, spokeswoman for the Liquor Control Board.

The bar and grill, in the 27000 block of Pacific Highway South, has been a problem area for the Des Moines Police for years, said Chief Roger Baker. The severity of the crimes has increased and gotten worse, he said.

"The last major incident (Sept. 30) the officers were shot at," Baker added.

The Liquor Control Board has issued six violations since April 2004, the last coming in August.

Violations include allowing minors inside the bar, allowing already intoxicated patrons to continue consuming alcoholic beverages, and disorderly conduct.

"The licensee isn't taking any responsibility for criminal activity going on inside and outside (the restaurant)," said Reams.

The emergency suspension was issued after police reports were given to the board following the Sept. 30 incident.

On Sept. 17, 2005, a Liquor Control Board enforcement officer observed bar staff allowing already intoxicated costumers to continue consuming.

"We have to have strong grounds before we do the emergency suspension," said Reams.

The owner of the Redondo Bar and Grill could not be reached for comment.

It is now up to the licensee to schedule a hearing against the suspension.

But the Liquor Control Board doesn't want to stop with the emergency suspension.

Every year the state reviews an establishments' liquor license. The Redondo Bar and Grill's license is up for review in May, and the process for that review begins in April.

The local authority can submit an objection to the license, said Reams, and "the decision weighs heavily on what local authority wants to do."

During the suspension, the Liquor Control Board will be working to get the license revoked permanently.