Jackie Clarkson first wants to present her proposals to Criminal Justice Committee next month
A New Orleans City Council vote on a pair of ordinances that would raise from 18 to 21 the age at which people are allowed to enter bars and liquor stores in New Orleans won't be taken this week, a spokeswoman for Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson said Tuesday. The measures instead will first get an airing in mid-March before the council's Criminal Justice Committee.
Hotel patrons pass a display of beer and wine last month at Vitascope Hall at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. Under a pair of proposed city ordinances that will be heard in commitee in March, 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds would no longer be able to enter bars and liquor stores in the city. Clarkson opted to defer her proposals after they met with unexpected opposition this week from some bar owners and other council members, her spokeswoman, Summer Johnston said, adding that the ideas also have yielded community support. The items had been on Thursday's regular meeting agenda.
By barring 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds from establishments where alcohol is the central business, Clarkson aims to reduce the crime epidemic that has erupted on the city's streets, Johnston said.
"She's just looking for other ways that we can help and keep people safe, especially young people," she said.
Clarkson hopes to hold the Criminal Justice Commitee's next meeting in mid-March to hasten debate on the topic, Johnston said. The panel next is scheduled to meet March 28.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu has not taken a position on the proposals, his spokesman said Monday afternoon.
As it stands, city law mirrors state statutes that allow people 18 and older to enter outlets "where alcoholic beverages are the principal commodity sold" and where "selling liquor is conducted as the principal business."
Under one proposed ordinance, bars could have their licenses suspended or revoked and face fines if people younger than 21 are found "upon or around" their premises, though the proposal does not specify a distance.
The other ordinance does not detail sanctions for liquor stores, saying only that "no person under the age of 21 years shall be invited or permitted on the premises."
Neither ordinance would apply to owners or employees, meaning people 18 and older could continue to own and work at bars and liquor stores, as current city and state laws allow.