Residents Express Concern New Laws Affecting The Lyric Could Lead to Ethnic Profiling

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

For the first time since a new heavily-debated ordinance regarding security requirements was presented to the public, terms like “ethnic profiling” and “racial discrimination” entered the conversation at a public hearing Tuesday night at City Hall.

The ordinance amendment, once known as the Downtown District ordinance, requires all local restaurants serving alcohol to include additional security guards, cameras and the use of ID scanners to check for fake ID cards.

While those requirements have been changed over the course of the last month after several public meetings, the additional regulations that would only apply to The Lyric Oxford—since it’s considered an event venue, rather than a bar or restaurant by state statue—have continued to draw criticism from the public.
On Tuesday, the Aldermen agreed to push off the vote on the proposed ordinance change for another two weeks after more back and forth during the hearing.
In the past public hearings, most of the comments, suggestions and complaints have come from restaurant owners. However, on Tuesday, it was citizens from Oxford who spoke out mainly against the section of the ordinance that affects The Lyric alone.

The Lyric would be required to pay $75 to register each event held at the venue, although verbiage was added that the fee could be waived by the Oxford Police Department for regular events, for example, if a group rented space in The Lyric each week for a book club meeting.
One of the requirements would force The Lyric to provide OPD with information about the event, such as the name of the performer and the approximate crowd expected.
Several members of the community pointed out that The Lyric is one of the only Oxford venues that hold events where those attending are mostly African-American, including black fraternity events, Black Student Union events and rap concerts.
Some who spoke were concerned that providing the name of the performer could lead to racial profiling by the police department which could impose additional security measures at the cost of The Lyric owners simply because of the performer’s name or who is holding the event.
Resident Lee Habeeb told Aldermen a compromise could be to simply remove the requirement for The Lyric to provide the name of the performer or event.
“That could lead to ethnic profiling,” he said. “But they absolutely should tell OPD the number of people they are expecting so they can prepare accordingly.”
Don Manning, vice president of finance and business at Rust College, told the aldermen he too felt the requirements being forced on The Lyric could lead to racial profiling and suggested taking out that section of the ordinance if the board wanted to move forward with the rest of the ordinance that addresses security and safety concerns. He also said allowing bars and restaurants to hire off-duty police officers as security guards could help a lot of the problems downtown.
Resident and president of the League of Women Voters Dianne Fergusson suggested tabling the ordinance and forming a task force.
“One more task force,” she said Tuesday. “One more, to study all of this in a bit more detail.”
Aldermen Janice Antonow said many businesses that hold special events where alcohol is sold by a licensed caterer, like The Powerhouse, Square Books and Southside Gallery have been paying $75 for a permit for nine years.
“We aren’t just singling out The Lyric,” she said. “These businesses have been doing this for nine years without complaint.”
Antonow suggested adding those businesses with catered events that are already applying for permits be included in the new ordinance and work with OPD on safety plans.
Mayor Robyn Tannehill said the main goal of the ordinance is safety for all Oxford residents, students and visitors.
“People can make it about a lot of things. There are a lot of moving parts, but it boils down to safety,” she said Tuesday. 
OPD Chief Joey East echoed the mayor’s statement.
“You all are worrying about your businesses and I get that,” he said. “I’m worrying about 23,000 people.” 
The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Aug. 7 at City Hall.
The proposed ordinance can be read on the city’s website, www.oxfordms.net.

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