Clayton County bars are gearing up to serve booze until the wee hours. After county commissioners approved an extension of last call from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., a move that aligns the county with its neighbors and aims to bolster the local economy, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. Despite previously expressed concerns by some commissioners over potential increases in crime, the measure passed, though the exact vote count and effective date remain under wraps.
Clayton County Police Chief Kevin Roberts has been a surprising figure behind the push, championing the hour extension as a boon for bar revenue, he told the board at a recent commissioner meeting and according to 11Alive "Many of the owners and managers cited the fact that they were required to close at 2 a.m whereas in our neighboring counties, they were one or two hours longer in an effort to make money," Roberts said; meanwhile, the argument centers on whether this change would indeed translate into enhanced economic development or propagate late-night incidents and DUIs.
Commissioner DeMont Davis emerged as a vocal opponent to the proposal, arguing that the potential risks outweigh the financial benefits, potentially escalating crime rates and endangering both employees and residents of Clayton County in the process he articulated his stance plainly, asserting in a statement obtained by 11Alive, "I’ve heard the case for positive economic development for these establishments which I think is very minimal; the risk to their employees and the Clayton County citizens far outweighs any monetary gain." Davis voiced his concern that the extension could lead to an uptick "in late-night DUI incidents and accidents that could potentially lead to death," which would increase the burden on the police force.
Despite Davis's concerns, Roberts remained steadfast in his support for the adjusted bar hours, he made his position clear once again before the board, "I respectfully ask the board to consider the adjustments we’re proposing, which would essentially push that consumption to the 3 a.m. hour," said the police chief an endorsement that contrasts with the usual stance law enforcement takes on alcohol-related ordinance changes. As Clayton County adjusts to the new bar closing times, the community will be watching to see if the move brings the economic benefits promised or if Commissioner Davis's warnings come to bear.
