Some Neighbors See Bowling Alley As a Nuisance

At Thursday night's city planning commission meeting, Laguna West resident Patrick Simpkins described how at bowling alley looked and sounded from the vantage point of his home on Eames Lane.

"At about 11:15 that evening a helicopter hovered about our house for half an hour blasting, 'If you don't get in your cars and leave, you'll be arrested,' over and over again," Simpkins told commissioners. "Sirens from Elk Grove and other places whined and whined."

Simpkins was one of a handful of neighbors that turned out to ask the city and Strikes owners to either fix what they described as ongoing security problems at the entertainment complex—which also includes a bar, restaurant and arcade—or move it somewhere else. (Their comments, which Elk Grove Patch viewed via the city's video feed, can be seen here.)

"We want to bring to your attention that there is a severe problem there," said Simpkins. "The activity over there has gone beyond the pale."

Other residents at Thursday's meeting said the presence of Strikes was disturbing the tranquility of their luxury homes and picturesque lagoon.

"We paid prime dollar to live here," said Loretta Nazario, 52. "My biggest fear is I'm gonna wake up and see a floating body in my water or somebody in the bushes with a gunshot wound. I'm scared and I shouldn't be scared."

Planning commission officials said the problems at Strikes fell outside their jurisidiction, but encouraged residents to keep pushing the city for a response.

City spokesperson Christine Brainerd said the city was looking into using current zoning rules to improve parking enforcement and exterior lighting at the entertainment complex. has said that most fights there take place outside in the parking lot, after security ejects people from the building.

"I have personally been meeting with the management team from Strikes and the property owner to look at what they should do on their end to make this Strikes safer," Mayor Steven Detrick said in an email. "I have also contacted private police experts that could be consultants to Strikes."

Residents at the planning commission meeting also raised concerns about increased alcohol sales in the area contributing to violence.

But Elk Grove Police Department spokesperson Chris Trim said alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the arrest of two Sacramento men who threw bowling balls at a third bowler's head during Saturday's fight.

"There was nothing to indicate they were intoxicated," he said.