Police Jury takes aim at 'BYOB' clubs

   It may not make a difference, but Avoyelles Parish police jurors expressed their disapproval of “BYOB” nightspots and asked the district attorney to research ways the businesses can be regulated -- if not outright prohibited -- in the parish.

   “To me, this is more of a moral issue and not necessarily a legal issue,” Police Jury President Charles Jones told jurors at their Sept. 13 meeting. 

   He said the businesses may not be breaking any laws in the way they operate, but they are causing problems and pose a safety risk to the community, in his and other jurors’ opinions.

   “These people do not have a license to operate as a lounge. It’s ‘bring your own bottle,’ so they are not required to have a liquor license. They aren’t covered by the 2 a.m. closing law.”

   The type of business discussed is one that usually provides a place for patrons to congregate, drink and socialize. Customers pay a “cover charge” to enter the building, but the establishment does not sell alcoholic beverages or engage in any business that would require it to have a state and local liquor license.

   One juror said he has heard of some bars closing as a bar at 2 a.m. and then opening as a BYOB club, staying open until 6 a..m. Another juror suggested the sheriff’s office or State Police set up checkpoints near these businesses after 2 a.m.  

    Jones’ and other jurors’ concerns were heightened by recent incidents at these kind of businesses -- one involving the non-fatal shooting of a 16-year-old youth.

   “Something has to be done,” Jones continued. “If not, we will be getting more and more people hurt or killed.”

   Jones asked the jury to ask District Attorney Charles Riddle and/or the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office to monitor the activities of these businesses.

   “I hope the jury will join me in encouraging the DA and sheriff to look at way to control these activities,” Jones said. “I have a problem with these people operating at all.”

   He said teenagers attending these “clubs” “are exposed to everything -- weapons, drugs. We have people coming in from Alexandria and Pointe Coupee to go to these places.”

   The jury referred the issue to the DA’s office for review.

   Assistant District Attorney Norris Greenhouse Sr. said he will research the issue and present a report and recommendation from the DA’s Office.

  In another matter, the jury instructed Parish Engineer Ron Bordelon to file a Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) grant application for $100,000 to address needed maintenance and security improvements in the 89-year-old courthouse.

  Jones pointed out that small LGAP grants over the past few years have allowed the parish to address important repairs that it otherwise would not have been able to afford.