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Radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem has often touted his close ties to law enforcement. But that support for law and order was in short supply earlier this week when an early-morning melee broke out at the Scene Premium Night Club in downtown St. Petersburg, which Clem co-owns. Two patrons were injured by gunfire, and officers discovered evidence of widespread marijuana use in the club. The violence underscores the problems the city has confronted since extending bar hours to 3 a.m. in 2010. The Scene's owners must deliver on promises to beef up security, but the City Council also needs to address this issue throughout downtown.
The council approved the 3 a.m. closing time over the misgivings of police Chief Chuck Harmon, who feared more people drinking longer would put a strain on his officers. He was right. Since the bar times were extended, Harmon reports a 70 percent increase in calls to saloons. At the same time, the department has been averaging 400 bar-related overtime hours per month
Some responsible bar owners pay for off-duty officers. However, the Scene stopped hiring off-duty officers, searching for weapons or cooperating with law enforcement after customers complained. That's why the City Council needs to make good on its pledge to seriously consider an ordinance requiring drinking establishments to hire their own security, as Tampa has done.
In the wake of the bar shootings, the Scene's owners have promised to beef up security by hiring off-duty officers and using metal detectors to search for weapons. They will also pay $2,555.59 owed to the city for past off-duty officer costs. But the owners have reneged on such promises before — underscoring the need for a city ordinance that puts public safety before private profits.
St. Petersburg has taken great strides to establish its downtown as a vibrant mecca for people to enjoy a diverse entertainment scene. It takes only a few irresponsible businesses operating like the Scene did earlier this week to undo all that.
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