INDIANAPOLIS - Pat Vernon and Pat Boyce may not look like crime fighters, but don't underestimate their commitment to cleaning up their east side Indianapolis neighborhood.
The two women, both in their seventies, have a lot of heart and a lot of fight, and Tuesday, they took on a neighborhood bar they say is bringing down the community.
"I have grandkids in that neighborhood. It's not just myself," said Pat Boyce.
Vernon and Boyce have waged a six-year battle against El Bohemio on East Washington. They say the bar has been a magnet for crime and other problems.
"There's too much trouble. There's too much dirt. There's too much alcohol and there's too much drugs, and also a kid was shot over there, a 17-year-old. We don't want that in the neighborhood, not with all the families," said Vernon.
Police backed up the women as the bar sought to get its alcohol permit renewed. They noted 47 runs here last year alone, including a person with a gun, a hit and run, and a disturbance.
The women also came armed with scores of petitions that included signatures from the police chief, public safety director and county prosecutor, all factors in the board's 2-1 vote not to renew the bar's permit.
"I'm very surprised. I've been a good citizen," said Zeferino Alvarez, El Bohemio's owner.
Alvarez says he's invested in several improvements, fixed up the inside, added security lights cameras and paved the parking lot.
"I don't think they want anything around. Probably another ice cream place," he said.
While the women celebrated, bar employees made it known they're now out of work.
One of them approached Boyce and told him that he had lost his job, along with his co-workers.
"You know, I could have brought in pictures of the lap dancing," said Boyce.
The two left undeterred and ready to take on their next fight: prostitutes.
"We have got to keep Indianapolis Indianapolis. I've lived here way too long. You're not going to kick me out of this town. This is our town," said Vernon.
