Wednesday, May 22, 2013

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Assemblyman Proposes Earlier Last Call for Certain Bars
Patrick Flynn's ordinance would cut off patrons at larger bars earlier
By Lauren Maxwell
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ANCHORAGE - An Anchorage Assemblyman thinks Downtown Anchorage would be a safer place if some bars were required to stop serving alcohol an hour earlier. Assemblyman Patrick Flynn planned to introduce an ordinance Tuesday night that would make “last call” come an hour earlier for larger bars in the Downtown area.

Flynn’s ordinance would apply to downtown bars that hold at least 125 patrons; smaller ones would be exempt. Flynn said the larger bars would not be required to close earlier, but simply stop serving alcohol an hour before they close.

“Under the present scenario everyone is basically pushed out the door after getting their drink 10 minutes before closing,” said Flynn. “Their drinks are taken away from them and you have people who are a little irritated, perhaps a little intoxicated, and you have dozens and dozens of them congregating immediately outside of a club.”

Police agree that can cause trouble, especially fights and assaults. But an organization that represents bar owners said the proposal could end up causing even more danger in the form of drunk driving.
Because only larger bars Downtown would have to stop serving early, patrons might get behind the wheel to find a bar that is still serving.

The ordinance is being proposed at the December 18 assembly meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for January 15.