Concerned that downtown bars would rather pay fines than comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines, the city of McAllen is contemplating a crackdown. During the past two months, code enforcement officers issued 19 citations for failure to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, according to McAllen Municipal Court records. Twelve involved bars on 17th Street. “The main issue is everybody says: ‘How come you’re letting the bars stay open?’” said Mayor Jim Darling. “And we’re not. They’ve been classified as restaurants by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.” Bars that want to become restaurants must create a food preparation area, offer at least two entrees and sell ...