Orlando bars would require permits, added security in order to serve until 2 a.m. under proposal

ORLANDO, Fla. - The City of Orlando is reportedly considering making changes to the operations of downtown Orlando – forcing bars and clubs to close at midnight vs. 2 a.m. and preventing new bars and clubs from opening for the next six months – in the wake of a pair of shootings that happened near the entertainment district.

That same proposal would also require bar and club owners to hire more security guards at their own expense to help patrol areas around their bar, which has bar and club owners worried about the extra costs that would require.

A spokesperson for the City of Orlando confirmed that a meeting took place on Tuesday between Orlando police, the Downtown Development Board, Community Redevelopment Agency, and the owners of bars and clubs in downtown, but did not elaborate on what was discussed. Bar owners said it was in response to recent violence and criminal activity downtown.

Over the summer, a fight between groups led to a shooting in downtown Orlando where nine people were hurt, officials said. In September, an employee at a club and a woman were hurt after shots were fired in downtown Orlando. As a result, the City of Orlando added security checkpoints to the entertainment district on Friday and Saturday nights, an element that typically was reserved for busy holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day.

"We want downtown to be safer, but a permit isn’t going to change gang violence," said Dave Green from the Orlando Hospitality Alliance. "What really it’s going to take is for the city council and for the mayor to enable our police officers to go out and do their jobs."

To serve alcohol past midnight, bars would have to allow Orlando police to determine how much extra security the bar or club should have. However, it would be up to the police department to decide where those off-duty officers would be stationed downtown, and the bar and club owners would have to pay for the extra security, officials said. 

"I think downtown needs more law enforcement, period," said Scott Kotroba, who owns a group of bars on Pine Street. "I think that is the big solution to some of the violence we’ve had down here."

Kotroba said he's fine with chipping in to make the area safer, but said the proposed fees are exorbitant.

"For one of our small venues that has 80 people or so, we’re expected to have law enforcement on duty," Kotroba said. "We’re talking in excess of $85,000-$90,000 over the course of the year just for one venue, and that’s not an expense one venue can maintain."

Kotroba said bars were told each off-duty officer would cost $90 an hour, and they could be on a completely different street. Some believe bars are being asked to carry too much of the responsibility.

"The City of Orlando is just trying to pass the buck here rather than take responsibility," Green said. "They’re trying to make private businesses basically privatize the police force in downtown Orlando."

Bars would also be required to have additional security measures, including metal detectors and ID scanners, to stay open until 2 a.m. 

In a handout given to businesses Tuesday, the city said there would be some money available to help offset some of the costs.

The proposal is expected to be discussed at two upcoming Orlando City Council meetings, and if approved, could go into effect as soon as February. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23.