Mike's Crossroads under scrutiny | News

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- A Birmingham strip club is facing heat from one city leader.  Councilman Steven Hoyt wants to shutdown Mike's Crossroads, claiming it's the source of a crime problem.

"Very scary, very," said a woman who lives near the club. She didn't want her name used but she did have a few things to say about the strip club. "I can't even sleep at night for all the shooting that goes on."

She's had a bullet come through her window, and the roof of her car.

"It's a mess," said the woman.

Just last week, a man was killed near the club. A few days before that, two people were shot in an attempted robbery. Council member Steven Hoyt says enough is enough. 

"We are talking about some 135 incidents in and around this place," said Hoyt. "It's a problem and I think we need to do something about it."

Hoyt wants Mike's licenses revoked, but owner Mike Rahiminejad says it's not his club causing the problem. "The shooting comes from the people, the building doesn't shoot," said Rahiminehad.

And he says the incidents Hoyt is referring to didn't happen at the club.

"We were closed when this thing happened," said Rahiminejad. "It happened from the neighborhood."

That's an argument Hoyt isn't buying. He has a neighborhood backing him on this one.

"The reality is there has been 135 incidents in and around this establishment. I mean come on. I don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure there something wrong with management," said Hoyt.

"I want it gone real bad," said the woman who lives near the club.

We also talked to other people in the neighborhood who all said they wanted to see the club closed.

Mike Rahiminejad said they have security inside and outside of the club, and have made improvements to the parking area adding additional lighting. He says he's willing to work with the city but again doesn't feel it's his club causing the problems.

The Public Safety Committee is expected to discuss this issue August 1.

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