Jun 14, 2008 10:40 am US/Pacific
Safe Bet: Casino Gets Closure Warning On Violence
SAN JACINTO
If violence continues in or near the Soboba Casino, the facility could draw three lemons and close, according to a warning by State gaming officials.
The National Indian Gaming Commission has warned the Riverside County Indian band that its casino could be closed in a "worst-case scenario" if more violence is reported.
"Closure of the facility might be necessary" if violent incidents continue near the Soboba Casino, gaming commission chairman Phil Hogen told the Riverside Press-Entreprise.
The local fire department has resumed responding to service calls on the reservation southeast of Riverside after law enforcement and fire officials noted that the situation appears to be calming down, and acts of
violence stopped.
In May, a violent, hour-long between a couple and Riverside sheriff's led to the fatal shooting of the two suspects.
The Soboba band of Luiseno Indians has also been involved in a jurisdictional battle with Riverside sheriffs after the tribe cut payment for law enforcement on the reservation and casino.
Three tribal members were killed in two separate incidents, prompting a warning from the sheriff's union earlier this month that the reservation casino might be unsafe.
And the local fire department stopped responding to calls after a series of violent car chases, said CalFire/Riverside County Capt. Fernando Herrera. "Things have changed, and there have been no incidents for weeks," Herrera told the Press-Enterprise Friday.
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