LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville Metro Council will vote Thursday on a proposed ordinance that would require certain late-night businesses to hire security guards.
The ordinance would apply to businesses open between 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. that police have responded to for serious crimes. That includes offenses for assault, theft, drug crimes or weapons violations.
If approved, businesses could be designated as "persistent illegal activity properties" if law enforcement responds to the business multiple times within a year.
They would also be issued a citation requiring them to hire licensed security guards for overnight hours. The length of the requirement would vary based on the severity of the criminal activity, according to our partners at Louisville Business First.
Businesses linked to incidents involving a deadly weapon would be required under the ordinance to employ security guards for 12 months, while violent crimes that don't involve a weapon would lead to a six-month requirement. Nonviolent offenses would require coverage for 90 days.
Businesses covered by the ordinance would be able to appeal citations, but would still have to hire security under a voluntary agreement with the city.
Metro Council members who sponsored the ordinance, including Tammy Hawkins, D-1, and Betsy Ruhe, D-21, say it's meant to protect employees and customers while reducing demands on police resources.
"It's going from one thing to another, from east to west," Hawkins said. "The thing is for me, we always wait until something happens. I wanted to put something in place before we had another incident."
The ordinance comes after several incidents involving late-night businesses in the Highlands and west Louisville.
Concerns about disorderly crowds intensified last month after a shooting outside Atomic led to a suspension of the bar’s liquor license. The license was later reinstated after the club agreed to implement new security measures.
Tensions had grown enough that some residents sought a "moist" election that, if approved by voters, would have required certain bars to generate at least 70% of their revenue from food sales — a move aimed at shifting the corridor away from late-night bar traffic.
Those petition efforts have since been suspended.
LMPD deployed a Summer Task Force to patrol busy stretches of Bardstown Road, with officers on foot, on ATVs and on horseback. Additional lighting has been installed in some of the busiest areas.
The Highlands Commerce Guild recently said businesses along the corridor have reported a noticeable change in crowds and rowdiness.
Police said they plan to maintain an increased presence in the area throughout the summer and on other high-traffic weekends during the year.
In a statement, the Louisville Hospitality Association said "there is no need to stack additional ordinances on top of existing laws that already allow for full enforcement and implementation of off duty officers."
"The Louisville Hospitality Association has worked tirelessly with ABC, LMPD, Metro Council and the Mayor's office to implement security procedures and protocols, including drafting and passing the Emergency Suspension Ordinance. The ESO already grants the city powers to deal with bad actors and late night businesses that create safety issues," the statement continued.
"The language in the newly proposed ordinance is an overreach and creates an inequitable application of the law between hotels and non hotels, as well as day and night businesses. The LHA puts safety as a top priority. The use of the term 'late night business' directly targets bars and restaurants who are already held to a higher standard of conducting business. The LHA is opposed to this ordinance as written, as it will create unjust financial burdens for small business operators. Laws already exist on the books to deal with 'nuisance properties.' The term 'late night business' is not predatory, and application of the law should not be limited to businesses duly licensed to operate during the hours of 2am-5am."
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