Nightclubs and event centers were given an additional hour to remain open on the weekends by the city council this week.
Mayor Diane Delaware was the only city leader in opposition with the hour extension, reflecting on the violence that occurred in the past at the late-night establishments.
The remaining board members felt that all nightclubs and event centers shouldn’t be punished for the violations of a few business owners.
Nightclubs and event centers must close at midnight Sundays through Thursdays. But they may remain open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. However, the ordinance amendment does not go into effect for 30 days.
Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. first brought the operational hours to the table during Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
“When we ran for office last time, we got a strong message with a lot of dissatisfaction in our citizens not being able to be in nightclubs or events centers after 12 o’clock,” Brent said. “This younger generation doesn’t go out until 11 p.m. or 11:30 p.m.”
Brent said he believes the nightclub issue cost some local politicians the last municipal election.
“We had two aldermen that I personally feel lost the election because of the positions they took,” Brent said. “We all took that position because we made a decision at the time because of the violence that was happening, the loss of lives that were going on at the time. We as a board cannot sit here and do absolutely nothing. At the time, we made the decision that we would cut back on the club hours.”
However, Brent said he reassured the citizens he would revisit the issue. He said the midnight closing hour is hurting the business of these late-night establishments. For example, he said a class reunion at The Manchester cost alumni $1,500 to rent, and they were upset when they had to leave at midnight.
“We must be fair to our club owners in terms of allowing them to do business,” Brent said. “All of them just don’t necessarily sell alcohol. Some sell food, which should allow them to stay open a little longer.”
Brent made the motion to allow the nightclubs and event centers to remain open until 1:30 a.m. with owners having to be off the property by 2 a.m.
Alderman Ron Johnson said he would prefer a 1 a.m. closing time. But he said that not all businesses should be punished for the actions of others.
“If ‘club blue’ acts up, you can’t put that all on ‘club red,’” Johnson said. “The actual club that is doing the stuff, punish them. Don’t punish everybody else. But I think 1 a.m. needs to be the time.”
Alderman Sir Jonathan Rucker said he remembers the violence and murders that occurred with the late hours at the nightclubs in the past. He admits it seems to be better within the city.
However, Rucker stressed the city ordinance requiring licensed and bonded security at the businesses.
The city ordinance states that “one security officer shall be provided as required in this section when 50 or more patrons are present; and two security officers shall be provided as required in this section when 150 or more patrons are present; and one additional security officer shall be provided as required by this section for each additional 100 patrons. Those persons acting as security personnel must register with the Chief of Police of the Yazoo City Police Department and shall be subject to a background check and must meet the qualifications set forth in Miss. Code 1972, § 67-3-19 or 45-9-101, and obtain a personal liability bond in an amount not less than $10,000.00.”
“Those who are not in compliance, it’s not going to happen,” Rucker said.
Delaware said she has nothing against nightclubs, admitting she still goes to them. But she said the quality of life within Yazoo City is her top priority.
“The current clubs that are open don’t close on time,” Delaware said. “The police have to go there and make them close on time. We don’t have enough policeman to police our city in such a way. I am aware of who pays taxes. I am aware of who sells what. I am aware of what clubs have run their business in accordance with our ordinances. I am aware of who sells liquor. I am aware of who had slot machines and who did not.
“I am aware that people got shot,” she continued. “People were dying. And club owners took no responsibility for this. This is about quality of life. Our city is a better city, and the quality of life has improved.”
There were several nightclub owners in the audience during the city council meeting. Delaware said they themselves had violated the current ordinances.
“Clubs have proven to kill people in Yazoo City,” Delaware said. “Each and every person sitting in the audience has proven that they did not abide by these ordinances. They did not sign in with the police department. They did not have security on site. They would not take responsibility for the parking lots and what was happening in those parking lots.”
Alderman Andre Lloyd said the nightclubs cannot be blamed for the violence.
“Clubs don’t kill people,” Lloyd said. “I hear gunshots every night of the week at my house. And it’s not coming from the clubs.”
Brent’s motion was amended by Lloyd to allow the businesses to remain open until 1 a.m. on the weekends. The extension passed with Delaware in opposition.
“Now, I make the motion to hire four more police officers because we are going to need them,” Delaware said. “We are about to engage more work on our force.”
Delaware said the officers will spend the majority of their time dealing with the late-night establishments. As a result, other crimes will be taking place due to an overworked force.
The remaining board members did not pass the motion to hire more officers.
