City leaders, club owners meet face-to-face
Published 11:14 pm Friday, June 29, 2012
After Thursday, club and bar owners do not have many excuses to make about their relationship with the Selma City Police Department.
Selma City Councilman Corey Bowie, along with other city officials hosted a discussion meeting with owners at Selma City Hall.
“Contrary to popular belief, we do not like closing down clubs. We don’t mind having a good time,” Bowie said. “This is just a forewarning that if you violate [ordinances] you will have to come before the council and we will deal with it from there. “
Selma City Attorney Jimmy Nunn walked through city ordinances for clubs that were passed back in 1994. He said the ordinances were nothing new, but he wanted to explain them and make sure the clubs knew the reason why they were passed in the first place — public safety.
“The main reason we passed the resolution is to look out for the welfare and safety of individuals attending clubs and lounges. They were concerned back then about incidents that took place,” Nunn said.
The clubs in attendance were Bottoms Up, Sugar Shack, Elks Lodge, Take Over Lounge and Downtown Sports Bar.
The ordinances included instructions for clubs on how to react to an emergency or dangerous situation. It stipulates the club immediately turns on the lights and turn off the music if an incident were to occur. Clubs have to have a certain amount of security guards per amount of people at the facility, doors of the club must never be obstructed, metal detectors are mandatory at each entrance door and security guards must wear distinguishable uniform, among others.
Selma Fire Chief Mike Stokes explained briefly to the club owners how the fire department calculates club capacity. He explained his method would always be “under the money” and his measurement would air on the side of caution.
“I’m not going to let anyone lose their life because I let in seven or eight more people than I was supposed to,” Stokes said.
Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley shared security measurements for the clubs and gave ways for club owners to have better contact and relationships with the police.
Riley spoke directly to the owners, putting the responsibility in their hands.
Riley, as well as other officers in the meeting, said more than once the police department couldn’t hold the hands of the club owners. He said, with some attention to the ordinances in place to help the clubs stay safe and some common sense, “we can nip this problem in the bud.”
“There are people that are in and out of jail that you guys know by name. You knew their brothers and sisters and you never do anything with them when there is a problem with them at the club,” Riley said to the club and lounge workers. “But the moment we come, then you are mad at us but you really have to look at yourself in the mirror because the code is specific. If you know who is causing the problem in your club, it is your obligation to go and get the warrant, write a report and have them dealt with.”
Chris Rahman, owner of the Downtown Sports Bar, said he learned a lot at the meeting and felt it was useful.
“I enjoyed the meeting and learned a lot,” Rahman said. “These help with a lot of things. They told us some of the rules and city rules, so we are going to put everything to work and make sure that we are running a good business.”