GAME OVER FOR CYBER CAFES? SAFETY CONCERNS MAY LEAD TO MORE REGULATION, BANS.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

Under pulsating lights and booming loudspeakers, hundreds of teenagers across the San Fernando Valley immerse themselves each night in a fantasy world of ancient civilizations, alien landings and violent shoot-em-ups.

The fantasy world, however, is intersecting with reality in ways that trouble some residents and Los Angeles city officials.

Concerned about violence at establishments where youth congregate to play video games, the Los Angeles City Council is looking at regulations on the dozens of cyber cafes across the Valley and the rest of the city.

The review comes after a pair of shootings last year linked to a Northridge cyber cafe. In July, a Winnetka man was fatally shot on his way home from the NetStreet Internet Cafe; two others were wounded in in a melee outside the same business.

Authorities say it's time to crack down on cyber cafe violence before it gets out of hand. Video-game players and cafe owners say it's unfair to punish them for the misbehavior of a few people.

``I see more bad things at movies and they're tripping about this place,'' said John Hua, 19, a regular player at NetStreet. ``If you look at this place, there's the 1 percent that make the whole barrel look bad. The other 99 percent are OK.''

City Councilman Dennis Zine, whose district covers the Southwest Valley, said he favors reasonable regulations to protect cyber cafe patrons, not new fees or other measures that would cripple the businesses.

``When parents think their children are going to a safe place to congregate and go on the Internet, they assume that measures for their safety are in place,'' Zine said. ``We need to ensure that people are safe.''

Diverse clienteles

Los Angeles police and city officials estimate there are 16 cyber cafes in the Valley, and at least three times that many elsewhere in the city, although they do not have exact numbers since the businesses require no special permits. Most of the Valley's cyber cafes are concentrated near California State University, Northridge, and the North Hollywood Arts District.

The businesses range from darkened, sparsely decorated hideaways in strip malls to giant video emporiums with dance-hall lighting and music. Their clienteles are likewise diverse, with some cafes catering to particular age groups, ethnic backgrounds and even personalities.

Many players describe the cyber cafes as social outlets that help them hone their game-playing reflexes and strategic thinking in a friendly atmosphere. They characterize the cafes as an alternative to, rather than a cause of, street violence.

``It releases tension,'' said Antonia Ledezma of Canoga Park, a regular at Cyber Gaming in Canoga Park. ``It's better to be in here than doing nothing outside or going to parties and getting in trouble.''

Many of the most popular video games feature graphic violence, with computer-generated blood. In Counter-Strike, one of the most popular, players use pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades and demolition devices to either free hostages or keep them in custody.

Unlike most video games played at home, the cyber cafe games pit players and teams across the globe against each other on high-speed data lines. On weekend nights or in tournaments, the cyber cafes often erupt in cheers, shouts and high-fives.

It was during one such tournament, police and witnesses say, that two people were wounded in a shooting and bludgeoning outside the NetStreet in late December. Some witnesses said the tension and excitement inside the cafe spilled over into the street and led to a brawl.

Others dispute the notion that fantasy violence on the computer leads to real violence.

``I've played Pac-Man all my life, and I don't feel the need to eat little balls and listen to disco music,'' said David Lang, 18, of Northridge, who plays occasionally at the NetStreet.

Days numbered?

But the real-life violence associated with cyber cafes - including the incidents connected to the NetStreet in Northridge and fatal stabbings and shootings near Internet parlors in Garden Grove - have some Los Angeles officials and residents concerned.

In early January, Zine introduced a motion to have the Los Angeles Police Department study security at cyber cafes and propose measures to make them safer. Zine suggested security guards, restrictions on hours, requiring cyber cafes to log the names of all computer users, and more strict enforcement of loitering laws.

``We need reasonable regulations,'' he said. ``We're not trying to drive anybody out of business.''

Some cafe owners, however, say that's exactly what some of the rules would accomplish. They say their profit margins already are thin because they charge about $2 an hour to game-players who can't afford much more.

``We're trying to be a trouble-free place,'' said NetStreet co-owner Charles Lee. ``These types of incidents could happen anywhere. Are they also going to regulate a Burger King, a Jack-in-the-Box or whatever?''

Some cyber cafe denizens said employees already crack down on troublemakers, and requiring security guards makes little sense.

``They'd just sit around,'' said Louie Huerta, 16, of North Hollywood, who plays at High Speed Net in North Hollywood. ``It's just a game. We don't take anything too seriously.''

Two Cal State Northridge students who were near the NetStreet on the night of the melee in late December disagree. Elizabeth Peisner, a 26- year-old graduate student who lives in Woodland Hills, and Josh Lodolo, CSUN's student body president, say the recent incidents point to the need for security guards.

``Any place with high-crime incidents needs armed security, whether it's a bank or (a cyber cafe),'' Peisner said.

No crime statistics

But are cyber cafes really magnets for crime?

LAPD officials say they're compiling data about incidents at the businesses, but they could not cite any statistics. Capt. John Sherman of the Devonshire Division, home of many of the Valley's cyber cafes, said the businesses are safe overall, with some exceptions.

``There's not a terrible crime wave at cyber cafes,'' Sherman said. ``What is happening is there are acts of violence - serious violence - occurring at or near cyber cafes.''

In considering regulations on cyber cafes, the Los Angeles City Council is treading on largely uncharted ground. Other Southern California cities have wrestled with the issue over the past year, adopting regulations that range from requiring a customer log to banning the businesses altogether.

Five cyber cafe owners sued Garden Grove last year after the Orange County city imposed rules including a midnight closing time, an 8 p.m. curfew, security guards and a customer log. A judge sided with the cyber cafes, and Garden Grove dropped the curfew and customer log.

Walnut and Pasadena restricted cyber cafes to certain areas. Diamond Bar requires security guards. Monterey Park banned cyber cafes.

Los Angeles officials say they're trying to balance safety concerns with the rights of cafe owners and patrons.

Lt. Debra Kirk of the Police Commission's investigations division said police are visiting cyber cafes and compiling information about incidents at the businesses.

As a temporary measure, Kirk said, police are asking the cafes to apply for a game arcade permit even though it is not required. She said a report with data about crime incidents and other calls for service will go to the Police Commission for review this week. If the commission recommends a new ordinance to regulate cyber cafes, the matter would go to the City Council.

``We haven't gotten any complaints, but there is a potential for criminal activity, especially as it involves juveniles,'' Kirk said. ``Still, we need to make sure we're not coming up with a solution in search of a problem.''

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The NetStreet Internet Cafe in Northridge is a haven for online gamers. Co-owner Charles Lee said violence is unfairly associated with the cafes. ``These types of incidents could happen anywhere,'' he said.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer