Photographs by Freddie Herpin
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Late Sunday night alcohol consumption and sales in Opelousas will now be reduced by two hours following a near unanimous decision by the Board of Aldermen.
Following lengthy and sometimes impassioned presentations Tuesday night by elected city officials, law enforcement and Opelousas businessmen, the Aldermen voted 5-1 to change a liquor sales and consumption ordinance effective July 13.
The new ordinance restricts the sale and use of alcohol after midnight on Sunday. The previous ordinance enabled establishments to sell alcoholic beverages until 2 am on Monday’s.
Owners of businesses where liquor is sold on Sunday night will have until 12:30 am to remove customers from their establishments, according to the ordinance revision.
The proposed drafting of a new liquor sales and consumption ordinance has been pursued for several months by Opelousas law enforcement.
Police Chief Graig Leblanc presented a series of graphics and videos during the Tuesday night meeting which he said depicts habitual security problems for Opelousas police officers at several citywide establishments.
Videos presented by LeBlanc also showed what he described as large crowd security issues that arose at businesses along Academy Street.
One video allegedly showed several brief fights and altercations occurring at the businesses. Another apparently showed an individual walking along the street with what appeared to be a rifle.
LeBlanc said it is up to city officials to defend what he said is, “the quality of life in Opelousas and fight for the citizens, especially the elderly.”
A number of elderly people that reside in neighborhoods surrounding the Academy Street area have become concerned about purported violence and disturbances that occur late on Sunday nights, LeBlanc added.
Additionally LeBlanc estimated that it has cost the city police department at least $1,995 on weekends to provide officers which he said are needed to “maintain adequate security,” for four businesses which also includes one of Edith Street and another at 1635 Creswell Lane.
Owners Challenge Ordinance Proposal
Brian Walker, James Clark and Irwin Montgomery who represented nightclub and liquor sales businesses, challenged the ordinance proposal.
Walker said LeBlanc’s characterizations of violence and shootings around his business are exaggerated.
Occasionally Walker said, confrontations occur inside his business, but those instances he noted, are normally handled before they spill out into the street.
“If I see something getting out of hand, then I shut down. I am never going to put money over safety,: said Walker.
Montgomery said he has no recollection of ever having instances where guns or shooting took place around his business.
Rachel Reed, who also addressed the Board, said she feels the attacks on Club Hills are personal, while security issues at other clubs are somewhat ignored by law enforcement.
“I have videos on my phone that show there are no shootings at any of these clubs,” Reed said.
Reed also pointed that barricades erected by law enforcement near the Academy Street clubs represent a threat to first responders.
From the City Officials
Alderwoman Sherell Roberts said that two of the clubs are located within her election district.
“I did walk the streets and I spoke with constituents. Many residents, Roberts said, are concerned about wanting “peace in their yards on Monday morning’s,” Roberts said.
Alderman-at-Large Marvin Richard said city officials need to make decisions that affect the entire city.
“”It’s not about you or about us. It’s not about (LeBlanc). We have to make decisions based on the entire city. We have got to do better. Sometimes all of us have to bend over backwards, baby and look at the safety of the people. We have to stop beating each other up,” Richard added.
Mayor Julius Alsandor said it was up to the Board to make the best decision for the city, the police and the club owners.
“You need to make your decision on how it impacts everyone.Take everything into consideration and vote your conscience,” Alsandor told the Board.
Alderman Milton Batiste III cast the only “no vote” on changing the ordinance.
