Police Say Most Oxford Restaurants Complying With New Alcohol Laws

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Most local restaurants that sell alcohol have come into compliance with Oxford’s new alcohol laws that went into effect in October.

The Oxford Board of Aldermen approved the Regulation and Safety of Patrons and Employees of Restaurants, Bars and Similar Businesses, Including Event Venues ordinance in September to go into effect in 30 days for businesses in the downtown district, and Jan. 1 for bars/restaurants in other areas of the city.

Sgt. Craig Baker, who heads up the downtown unit for the Oxford Police Department, reported to the aldermen Tuesday that all large venues have come into full compliance with the new laws.

“They are following the rules and have jumped on board,” he said. “We have a few smaller businesses who aren’t 100 percent yet but they are actively working to get there.”

The city’s new ordinance required restaurants that serve alcohol to check IDs with scanners and provide more security, cameras and plans.

According to the ordinance, security cameras are required at all entrance and exits and on the outside of bathrooms, where police say sexual assaults and other criminal activity often occurs.

Along with cameras, the ordinance also requires all local restaurants serving alcohol to have evacuation plans in place; include adequate security guards who wear clothing that identifies them as such; and the use of ID scanners to check for fake ID cards.

Baker said most of the bars are using cell phone apps as their ID scanners and that OPD has already seen a decrease in arrests for minors having fake IDs and being in possession of alcohol.

“I think it’s the lowest I’ve ever seen it,” Baker said.

In October, OPD issued six citations for being in possession of alcohol inside downtown restaurants and bars. Officers issued similar citations for 14 people in August and 23 in September before the new ordinance was passed.

“(New ordinance) has had a big effect,” Baker said.

Baker said he hasn’t received a lot of negative feedback from businesses owners.

“Some aren’t real happy about having to use the ID scanners but many are actually enjoying it because it does a lot of the work for them and has helped them,” he said.

The ordinance was a heavily debated topic in Oxford for about two months with standing-room-only public meetings. The ordinance that was finally approved looked very little like the original version. Some who attended meetings said it puts too much financial burden on the restaurant owners. To read the ordinance in its entirety, visit this link.