Pubdate: Mon, 23 Jul 2001
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Source: News & Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The News and Observer Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.news-observer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/304
Author: Melissa Manware, Robert F Moore, Staff Writers

`DANCE HALL ORDINANCE' GOING INTO EFFECT TODAY

Late-Night Clubs Required To Hold Permit In Order To Stay Open Past 2:30 A.M.

Charlotte's long-debated ordinance restricting late-night dance clubs takes 
effect today, but no businesses hold the new license required to remain 
open after 2:30a.m.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, responsible for issuing the permits, said two 
clubs have applied for the license. They had expected to issue more than 20.

"We are sending out letters to clubs that we know are required to have 
licenses, but there has not been a very good response," said Detective 
Ginger Faulkenberry.

The so-called "dance hall ordinance" is designed to control drug use and 
related crimes at clubs, and to shield young people from illegal activities 
associated with some nightclubs. It is believed to be the first of its kind 
in the state. Failure to secure a permit could result in fines up to $500 a 
day. Enforcement could begin as early as this weekend.

The ordinance requires any club not regulated by the state or county 
Alcohol Beverage Control Board to have a one-year, city-issued permit to 
operate. Clubs that already have ABC permits and cater to 18-and-over 
patrons also must obtain a permit to stay open after 2:30a.m.

Clubs that cater to teens may operate between Sunday and Thursday until 
11p.m. and until midnight on weekends. The police-issued license can be 
suspended or revoked if operators knowingly allow illegal drug use inside, 
violate ABC laws or a breach of peace occurs on the property.

Police Chief Darrel Stephens said he expects full compliance.

"I don't think people are going to ignore the rules," he said. "But, if we 
discover that the ordinance is being ignored, then we'll certainly enforce it."

Since the debate over the ordinance began more than a year ago, many of the 
locations police say have been havens for crime - including Midnite 'til 
Six and at least two warehouse raves near uptown - have closed.

A contingent of club owners and operators opposed the ordinance - calling 
it an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that doesn't address illegal drug use.

When police initially proposed the new regulations to City Council, they 
targeted raves - all-night dance parties that are often held in unlicensed 
warehouses and attract young people and the use of designer drugs. Club 
owners argued that the final version targets businesses that are already 
licensed and cater to adults.

Alan Presley, part-owner of Coyote Joe's, said the club no longer stays 
open after 2:30a.m., so he won't be applying for a permit. He says 
all-night events will be held, even if none of the established clubs plan 
them, and that may result in more of the crimes police are trying to prevent.

"I fear it will lead to unsupervised things," Presley said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom