The Selma City Council sent a strong message Tuesday when the business license of a downtown gathering place was revoked.

For some time, the Selma Police Department and City Council have received complaints about drug use, underage drinking and other violations.

In a time when both units are working hard to make downtown Selma a place people want to visit, it is impossible for those in leadership positions to look the other way when a business  is breaking the riles.

There is no excuse for this behavior, and, frankly, there is no room for it in Selma or any other city.

Just as individuals who break the law are punished, the city and police department have proven that they will take a strong stance against businesses that feel they are above the law.

The revocation should serve as a message to anyone else who allows these things to go on in their club or place of business.

As Selma Mayor George Evans and Chief of Poliice William T. Riley said, this is not an excuse to close the doors of downtown clubs. It is simply a public safety issue.

Allowing businesses to continue to promote drug use and underage drinking would be the kiss of death to downtown tourism.

During the meeting, Evans pointed out that four new downtown businesses opened their doors in the last month. There is plenty of room for more.

But before we can draw more downtown businesses, we have to make downtown a desirable place for people to do business.

If the allegations against the business are true, the council made the right move in shutting its doors.

Cties are often defined by their downtown. No one wants our downtown to  be percieved as a safe haven for criminal activity.

Tuesday’s decision was more than a vote. It was a message. Play by the rules, or go home.