Proposed changes would allow Metro to more easily shut down bars temporarily

WLKY’S MARK VANDERHOFF EXPLAINS HOW IT WOULD WORK. THESE PROPOSED CHANGES TO LOUISVILLE’S ALCOHOL RULES COME AFTER SOME HIGH PROFILE VIOLENCE AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOUISVILLE’S BARS IN RECENT YEARS. THIS CELL PHONE VIDEO CAPTURED A FIGHT AT BAXTER’S 942 BAR AND GRILL IN OCTOBER, WHICH LED TO A LATER SHOOTING OUTSIDE THE HIGHLANDS BAR, AND IN AUGUST, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND FOUR INJURED IN A SHOOTING OUTSIDE. THE SOUTHERN IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE. NOT TRYING TO HARM PEOPLE WHO ARE GOOD ACTORS HERE, YOU KNOW, ARE GOOD ACTORS WON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT WITH US. IT’S THE FOLKS. THAT ARE OPERATING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDS. OF THE LAW WHO DO HAVE SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT IF THIS PASSES. LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCILMAN RICK BLACKWELL WANTS TO GIVE METRO ABC THE POWER TO ISSUE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY SUSPENSIONS OF A LIQUOR LICENSE. IF THERE ARE HEALTH, SAFETY OR SECURITY CONCERNS, IT WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOING THROUGH ONE MORE STEP OR ACTING IN IN IMMEDIATELY AND FOR. MY MONEY, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACT IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU WHEN YOU REALLY DO PERCEIVE THERE AS AN EMERGENCY. BLACKWELL ALSO WANTS TO CLARIFY THAT ORGANIZERS OF POP UP GATHERINGS MUST GET AN ABC LICENSE TO SELL ALCOHOL, PROMOTE OR ENTERTAINERS THAT MAY NOT WANT TO, YOU KNOW, ABIDE BY THE LAWS AND RULES OF A BAR GOING AND FINDING EMPTY SPACES AND THROWING THEIR OWN PARTIES. AND AGAIN, IT SHEDS BARS IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT. SEAN VANDEVENDER, SPOKESMAN FOR THE LOUISVILLE HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION, SAYS THEIR MEMBER BARS DON’T WANT THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY OF BAD ACTORS. WE’RE MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH. THE MAYOR’S OFFICE. ABC IN THIS INSTANCE, COUNCILMAN BLACKWELL IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME STRENGTHENING OF SOME LANGUAGE. AND SOME CLARIFYING WORDS PUT IN THERE THAT MAKE SURE THAT THAT DUE PROCESS IS PROTECTED. IN THE END, HE SAYS, THE SAFETY OF THEIR PATRO

Metro Louisville's Alcoholic Beverage Control would be able to more easily shut down bars on a temporary basis under a new proposal.Under the current rules, the city has to go to the state ABC for an emergency suspension, but an ordinance proposed by Metro Council member Rick Blackwell would allow Metro's ABC to issue an immediate emergency suspension when "the health, welfare, safety, and/or security of the community is jeopardized by the continued operation of a licensee.""For my money, I think we should be able to act immediately when you really do perceive there is an emergency," Blackwell said.These proposed changes to Louisville's alcohol rules come after some high-profile violence and incidents at Louisville's bars in recent years.Cell phone video captured a fight at Baxter's 942 Bar and Grill last October, which led to a later shooting outside the Highlands bar.In August, two people were killed and four were injured in a shooting outside the now closed Southern Lounge in downtown Louisville. Another ordinance would target "pop-up parties," often concerts or dance parties held at rented spaces without alcohol licenses. The ordinance clarifies those events must have an alcohol license to serve beer, wine or liquor or allow participants to bring alcohol and gives Metro ABC that power to shut down such gatherings if they are serving alcohol without a license. A spokesperson for the Louisville Hospitality Association, says their member bars don't want the negative publicity of bad actors."We're more than willing to work with the mayor's office, ABC, in this instance Councilman Blackwell. More than happy to sit down with him. We would like to see some strengthening of language, some clarifying words put in there, to make sure that due process is protected," Sean Vandevander said.In the end, he says, the safety of their patrons is their top priority.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Metro Louisville's Alcoholic Beverage Control would be able to more easily shut down bars on a temporary basis under a new proposal.

Under the current rules, the city has to go to the state ABC for an emergency suspension, but an ordinance proposed by Metro Council member Rick Blackwell would allow Metro's ABC to issue an immediate emergency suspension when "the health, welfare, safety, and/or security of the community is jeopardized by the continued operation of a licensee."

"For my money, I think we should be able to act immediately when you really do perceive there is an emergency," Blackwell said.

These proposed changes to Louisville's alcohol rules come after some high-profile violence and incidents at Louisville's bars in recent years.

Cell phone video captured a fight at Baxter's 942 Bar and Grill last October, which led to a later shooting outside the Highlands bar.

In August, two people were killed and four were injured in a shooting outside the now closed Southern Lounge in downtown Louisville.

Another ordinance would target "pop-up parties," often concerts or dance parties held at rented spaces without alcohol licenses. The ordinance clarifies those events must have an alcohol license to serve beer, wine or liquor or allow participants to bring alcohol and gives Metro ABC that power to shut down such gatherings if they are serving alcohol without a license.

A spokesperson for the Louisville Hospitality Association, says their member bars don't want the negative publicity of bad actors.

"We're more than willing to work with the mayor's office, ABC, in this instance Councilman Blackwell. More than happy to sit down with him. We would like to see some strengthening of language, some clarifying words put in there, to make sure that due process is protected," Sean Vandevander said.

In the end, he says, the safety of their patrons is their top priority.

Proposed changes would allow Metro to more easily shut down bars temporarily

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