In hopes of scaling back crime, the city of Redlands is considering banning neighborhood bars from selling alcohol after midnight, two hours earlier than state law.
The proposal comes after a recent city council meeting, where Redlands Police Deputy Chief of Operations Jeremy Floyd raised safety concerns over an uptick in crime over the past three years that he says is a result of late-night alcohol sales. According to police, officers have responded to more than 1,000 calls for service.
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But many bar owners like Baron Bowman of Redlands Underground Restaurant and Bar in downtown say they see the most customers after midnight, meaning the proposed ban would have a major economic impact on the area.
"It's not fair to put businesses out of business," Bowman said. "People aren't here to eat at midnight, typically. They go to Denny's."
Authorities say the problem ranges from loitering and businesses overserving customers to more violent crimes.
"Over the last three years, we had 44 assault reports, 13 robberies and shootings and weapon violations," city spokesperson Carl Baker said.
Police added that the late-night calls take up most of the department's resources, which leaves it thin to respond to other emergencies.
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But business owners say the problem is not what's happening inside the bar, but rather the behavior on the streets, which Bowman argues needs to be addressed by law enforcement.
"People drinking out of liquor bottles and smoking blunts and fighting and smashing bottles in the parking garage," Bowman said. "If someone never comes to a bar, it's not my responsibility if people are partying in the streets."
The city says the proposal is under review, mainly over concerns among businesses. So far, it has not been scheduled for a vote.