As Seattle grapples with the fallout of a deadly shooting in Pioneer Square, city officials are enacting new regulations targeting late-night venues, set to kick in today. KOMO News reported that the ordinance comes in response to a spate of after-hours violence, highlighted by a recent incident that left three dead outside a club.
According to FOX 13, the legislation demands that after-hours lounges operating between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. adhere to strict requirements including maintaining updated city permits, employing at least two security guards, and implementing video surveillance. "The after-hours lounge legislation is an overdue measure to protect these businesses, their patrons, and the surrounding neighborhoods," Kettle was quoted, emphasizing the collaborative effort in developing the safety-focused regulations.
A mass shooting in Pioneer Square acted as a catalyst for the regulation changes, putting public attention squarely on the safety of late-night establishments. KING 5 shared that venues violating these regulations face substantial fines—$1,000 for a first offence and $5,000 for subsequent infractions.
Enacting these regulations is a response informed by startling data. Seattle Police Department figures reveal at least 38 nightlife shootings since the previous year, with over 800 bullet casings collected, representing 91 different firearms.
