With the recent rash of violence at local nightspots, city leaders are taking a closer look at the ordinances surrounding operational hours and bonded security.
Some agree that the restricted hours placed upon nightclubs is necessary. But it’s also the other types of businesses that are remaining open late into the morning hours that are beginning to become a concern.
Whether it be a nightclub, a pool hall, an event center or even a restaurant...some leaders are ready to stretch the operational hour restrictions across the board.
“The senseless violence and killings must stop,” said Alderman Gregory Robertson. “Yazoo City is my hometown, and it’s a beautiful place. But we also want it to be a safer place.”
Four Deaths
There have been three incidents involving murders at late night businesses since February. Within seven weeks, there have been four deaths in connection with early morning altercations that led to bloodshed.
The first shooting occurred around 1 a.m. Feb. 21 at LB’s Nightclub on Bridge Street.
Christopher Wiley Turnage was charged with murder and aggravated assault in the deadly altercation.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Tyrone Collins, 25, dead from a gunshot wound to his chest.
A 24-year-old female victim was also injured during the incident. She was shot in the head and taken to a Jackson hospital.
The next murder happened almost a month to the day at the Teflon Event Center on Mound Street.
Briddell Barber was charged with murder after an altercation inside the event center tumbled outside with gunfire.
When police and first responders arrived on the scene, the body of Justin Porter, 25, was found behind the event center.
Since Teflon is considered an event center and not a nightclub, there was no violation with the late hour. It was 3:17 a.m. when the shooting ensued.
There was security at the event center the night of the shooting.
A week and a half later, another murder and possible suicide occurred just a few blocks away from the Teflon Event Center.
Wesley Moore died last Sunday in a Jackson hospital after being shot in the back at a Broadway business the night before during an altercation. The body of suspect Keith Dent was discovered on the side of a street Saturday morning, with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The altercation began at Big Chase Restaurant at 108 East Broadway around 1:45 a.m. Saturday morning.
According to the restaurant’s business permit, the establishment is actually recorded as Fannie’s Fast Food. The owner is listed as Sherleon Hill.
It was also reported to The Herald that the restaurant is only open during the evening, often late hours.
There was no security at the restaurant the night of the murder.
The Law
There are already a number of ordinances in the books that specifically address operational hours and onsite security.
Nightclubs are required to close at midnight during the week and at 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Yazoo County Sheriff Jacob Sheriff said nightclubs and bars within the county are required to close at midnight with patrons having to leave the premises by 12:30 a.m.
Sheriff said the hours are working.
“So far, everything has been great,” he said. “We have had no issues with bars closing at that time.”
The city ordinance also states that bonded security must be onsite.
The ordinance states “it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or other entity holding a license to sell, give away, or otherwise dispense or permit to be consumed, any alcoholic beverage, light wine or beer, in any establishment within any area within the corporate limits of this city, having a capacity of 50 or more persons as established by the Fire Marshal for the City of Yazoo City, Mississippi, at all times when 50 or more patrons are present on the premises or when said establishment is charging a cover or admission charge, unless there is on the premises at all times and hours of operation, a security officer who has been registered as such with the City of Yazoo City Police Department and whose sole responsibility is to keep and maintain order on the premises.”
“I agree that every club or late night spot must have bonded security,” Sheriff said. “To be honest, I think the hours should be adjusted as well. The clubs within the city close at 1 a.m., with people having to leave by 1:30 a.m. I think 1 a.m. is long enough.”
Sheriff also said that it’s the after-hours when most of the trouble begins.
“Once the clubs shut down, people go to these eating places and other areas that can remain open,” he said. “But some of the places are really just clubs themselves. It’s those late hours when most of the trouble starts.”
Robertson, whose ward is where the recent murders have occurred, said he encourages the police department to enforce the ordinance already in effect.
“Let’s enforce the ordinances already in the books,” he said. “These places need to close at the right hours and have security.”
Robertson said he is also in support of any ammendments that could apply to other businesses outside of the nightclub specifications.
“I welcome any suggestions or solutions from the public as to what we can do as a government body,” Robertson said. “We must do our part. The Lord told us to love one another.”
As The Herald went to press, Robertson was on his way to a prayer meeting at the Yazoo County Courthouse to pray for the recent rash of violence.
