Alderman Aubry Brent Jr.’s motion to extend the operational hours of local nightclubs and event centers did not garner enough support from his fellow board members this week.
Alderman Ron Johnson was the sole supporter of Brent’s request to allow the establishments to remain open until 1 a.m., an hour later than the current city ordinance. Alderman Gregory Robertson and Mayor Diane Delaware were in opposition of the request, with Alderman Dr. Jack Varner abstaining.
Brent first brought his request to the city council during its last board meeting. He said the current city ordinance that closes down the establishments at midnight is hurting local businesses financially.
“Sometimes these individuals have paid as much as $1,500 (to rent facilities),” Brent said. “We even had one of our local restaurants downtown, which is an event center as well, the owner lost close to $800 because she had to shut down when she was also serving food.”
Brent said some officers are shutting down the businesses as early as 11:30 p.m.
But Police Chief Ronald Sampson said the current city ordinance is working well for his department, showing statistics of violent crimes in the establishments before and after the city-issued ordinance.
Before the city required the establishments to close at midnight, there were more violent crimes reported. And reports showed that all the crimes occurred midnight or later.
After the city revised its ordinance, Sampson’s report showed the number of those crimes decreased.
“I think the ordinance is working and working very well,” Sampson said. Maybe there are some things we can do to offset that but…one homicide is too many. We need to really look at it hard and look at the effect.”
Sampson said late night traffic at the establishments, particularly along Broadway, also pose a safety threat.
“This is our gateway when you come down Broadway,” he said. “When we don’t’ control Broadway, we can see what it can be like with the cars, accidents, the people, everything in there that is clogging us up.”
Sampson said his research shows that the later the evening gets, the number of problems increase.
“I know for our police department, (the current ordinance) is helping us a great deal,” Sampson said.
Brent said the statistics are small in comparison to the people who were hurt or lost their lives. But he also said similar situations have occurred across the nation with a rash of shootings in places ranging from public gatherings to churches to schools.
“But these businesses or institutions do not shut down,” Brent said. “I am totally against any type of violence, but we must make sure we represent all of our citizens. We control public policy. I think these clubs and event centers deserve another shot at doing business.”
Brent made the motion to extend the operational hours to 1 a.m., allowing owners 30 minutes to close their establishments. Johnson seconded his motion, with one consideration.
“Take it case by case,” Johnson said. “You can’t spoil everybody from one spoiled apple. If your club is acting crazy, I’m gonna shut you down. But when one club is acting up and you shut everybody down…. that’s not how it works; not in America.”
“We don’t want to punish everybody, but we don’t want to have bloodshed either,” Sampson added.
Robertson said he would be in favor of some sort of compromise. But he said the figures speak for themselves.
When I think about the grand scheme of things, looking at the stats, I am for businesses making money,” he said. “But what is the price that you put on a life? I can’t put one on that.”
Varner said he was on the fence about the whole thing.
“We can’t legislate morality,” Varner said. “But we pay the police chief enough that when he does give his opinion, we are obligated to follow it.”
Without a majority vote, Brent’s request did not pass Monday afternoon. The establishments are to adhere to the current ordinance, closing at midnight.
