By Prior Beharry
BARS in residential areas will have to be closed by 11 pm.
This is the promise being made by leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) Phillip Edward Alexander if his party gets into power.
In a release on Friday, he said, “Let me make it abundantly clear, a Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) government that I lead would de-incentivise the establishment of party businesses within residential communities, and would amend the Liquor License Act for prospective licensees to obtain written permission from adjoining residences within one hundred feet of their establishment for the approvals and renewals of any license.
“Further, no liquor license would allow the opening of bars of any kind in residential communities beyond 11 pm.”
He made the comment about a release about the activities including construction that is taking place in Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook.
Alexander said, “The Theatre and Dancehall Act and any laws granting licenses for large public fetes will no longer be able to grant such licenses including noise variations within a mile radius of any established residential community as defined by the land use designation at the Land Registry without written approval of more than fifty percent of the residents of the affected community.
“In cases where licenses have been granted but the effects of the establishment become unbearable for residents, special complaint hearings to revoke or amend licenses will be added as a condition to all licenses within residential communities.”
He said, “All public structures created for the purposes of promoting night life in residential communities would be removed and the environment returned to its original intent and condition.
“Woodbrook is not the only residential community being exploited by those who have access to some who might be willing to look the other way or bend the law, so our laws will be written clear enough so as to expose cases where public officials might be tempted to evade the intention of the law, and to prosecute those who do.”
This is a very good proposal should become the law dosen’t matter which party governs
I fully support these proposals.
I know first hand the disruptive effects of a bar operating within a residential area especially when you live directly opposite.
Finally, someone talking my language. I dont always agree with Mr. Alexander, but that is exactly my thinking. I understand that in parts of Florida the closing time for bars in residential areas is 11 pm. I believe TT’s Any Day, Any Time law makes it impossible to enforce early closing. I keep hearing that things cant changed, or it’s a lost cause. It was change to what it is now, and that was obviously for a purpose. Of course, presently, there is no political will or desire to make it right. When citizens complain constantly about the same problem, the simple fix is to take a look at the situation, once it is a valid complaint, have a look at the present law and fix it. Not like the fireworks law, which still has the same effect; nothing has changed. One discharge or 20, 11 or 11:30 pm to 1 or 4 am, same effect. Protecting their friends.