NEW: Prov. Council to Review Licensing Laws after Downtown Nightclub Incidents

NEW: Prov. Council to Review Licensing Laws after Downtown Nightclub Incidents

A resolution to address nightclub safety in the city, sponsored by Providence City Council Majority Leader Seth Yurdin (Ward One), was approved by the Council Thursday evening. The violent incident earlier this month at Level II, a downtown club, prompted Yurdin to call for the Council to “examine, review, and make recommendations” regarding licensing policies and procedures and police enforcement.

While Level II remains closed pending the outcome of a hearing before the Board of Licenses, Yurdin said that, “Nightclub safety remains a major public safety issue. Violent brawls at these venues endanger lives and drain City resources. The City needs to send a message to nightclub owners that there is no tolerance for these types of events.”

The resolution cites the urgent need for the Council to study the licensing board’s policies and procedures relating to nightclub and other licenses and the role of the police department in maintaining order at nightclub venues. The Council also will make recommendations for changes to City ordinances and/or State law. The Administrator and Chairperson of the Board of Licenses will be called upon to provide information, along with the Public Safety Commissioner and Chief of Police.

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