Harris County wins injunction against Club Eclipse

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Harris County has won a temporary injunction requiring a notorious nightclub in Houston to take a number of actions to reduce crime at its facility.

Club Eclipse, also known as Club Night, located in the 2600 block of FM 1960 Road, is said to have become a haven for violent crime, including parking lot brawls, aggravated robberies, stabbings and shootings.

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan filed suit in January against Victoria Gonzalez Zarate, the owner of Club Eclipse, as well as Sunlight Group, the owner of the strip shopping center where the club is located.

A judge ordered the owner to prohibit the selling, serving or consumption of alcohol on the club premises, close the club between the hours of 10:30pm and 10:30am, check all IDs and bags, refuse entrance to the club to anyone found in violation of the law, install cameras inside and outside the club, store that video for 30 days and make it available to law enforcement within 24 hours of request, hire security, perform background checks on employees and contractors, and report any illegal activity to law enforcement, as well as keep records of law enforcement activity and report them every week.

Asst. County Attorney Jorey Herrscher said there is a reason all of this had to be done.

"These types of businesses attract crime. This one, in specific, Club Eclipse, has attracted shootings, robberies, fights, things that add blight to the neighborhood, cause damage to property and cause injury citizens," he said.

Herrscher added, "There are a few messages we're hoping to get out - one is, that if you are operating an illegal business that it won't be tolerated in Harris County and two, if you are a citizen and you are concerned about a problem property, a problem business that you can give us a call and we'd be more than happy to look into it and take action if necessary."