Revised Nightclub Ordinance Posted Online,
New Meeting Scheduled to Collect Public Opinion

Police Department - August 8, 2007
Contact: Capt. Bill Cobb, 773-7802

A revised draft of the proposed city nightclub ordinance and details of the Violence Reduction Program were posted today on the city Web site. The Winston-Salem Police Department will hold a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 21, to solicit public opinion on the draft.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Winston Room at LJVM Coliseum, 2825 University Parkway. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will consider the revised ordinance when it meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept 10, in Room 239 in City Hall, 101 N. Main Street.

The ordinance would replace the old "Dance Hall" section of the City Code with a new section titled "Nightclubs and Nightclub Entertainment Promoters," intended to balance citizens’ safety with the goal of allowing a vibrant night life.

The ordinance would encourage nightclub owners and promoters to cooperate with police in reducing criminal behavior at night clubs by participating in the police department’s Violence Reduction Program. Under the Violence Reduction Program, nightclub owners and their employees would be trained by police to recognize and promptly report any criminal behavior in their clubs, including aggressive behavior that stops short of violence but which constitutes a public disturbance.

Safe nightclub owners and safe nightclub entertainment promoters who follow the Violence Reduction Program would not have to hire security at their clubs. Owners and promoters who do not follow the Violence Reduction Program and are found to have unsafe business establishments would be required to provide security. Owners and promoters ordered to provide security for non-compliance could appeal the order, but would have to provide security while the appeal is pending.

The ordinance excludes non-profit events and promoters in venues that hold less than 100 people.

In addition to the public meeting, the Police Department is soliciting feedback with forms it has posted online with the draft ordinance and the Violence Reduction Program.

See the Nightclub Ordinance information and draft

For more information call Capt. Bill Cobb at 773-7802.