Weston, Florida Nightclub Ban

Weston Fl, takes a serious move to cut down on violence by signing a nightclub ban. The Mayor, Eric Hersh, has banned nightclubs, dance halls, and skating rinks after four night club stabbings ended in death in Broward County since 2002. In 2011, the number of shooting incidents at nightclubs have more than doubled from the year before.

"This is something that we thought would protect the city," Mayor Eric Hersh said

Also quoting from the Sun Sentinel "The city has no nightclubs or dance halls and, thanks to a new ordinance, it never will. The commission specifically banned those kinds of businesses, and skating rinks, to prevent a temporary rink from being used conceal a nightclub or dance hall, said City Manager John Flint."

Mayor Hersh states, "There aren't those uses in Weston, there won't be those uses in Weston, and we were never planning to allow those uses in Weston. This is something that we thought would protect the city." The mayor states that residents who wish to go to such establishments can go to neighboring cities. Understanding the need to reduce crime, but what kind of economic impact could this make in the town of Weston?

The primary reason for the nightclub ban is crime and crowds. The commission states that the crowds that frequent the nightclubs are causing disruption to traffic, a strain on resources, and bothersome noise to residents and nearby businesses. The commission also states that many people have called in regards to alcohol and narcotics use in the county. These "unlawful and/or undesirable activities" is what has caused the commission to create the ban.

In spite of the ban, schools are still allowed to hold dances and people can congregate at the local skate park and YMCA. Night clubs are typically "drinking halls." How is this ban going to curb violence in the community? In fact, a wider spread of violence because people will be drinking in public, driving from place to place, and more innocent children may be exposed to the use of these vices is probable.

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