Birmingham City Council proposes 30-day camera rules for late-night venues
birmingham city council is moving to tighten the Kelvyn Felder Ordinance, expanding safety rules for bars, nightclubs and other late-night businesses. The proposal would widen which venues must file safety plans and add new camera and record-keeping requirements for some businesses open as early as 10 p.m.
Kelvyn Felder ordinance changes
Hunter Williams said the ordinance already covers safety plans for bars, nightclubs and late-night establishments. He said the revised version would update those conditions so the city can require current plans and see that they are followed.
The amendment would define late-night establishments more broadly. It would cover businesses open between midnight and 5 a.m., and also businesses open as early as 10 p.m. if they had a serious incident within the past year.
The proposal defines a serious incident as shootings in or near a venue or physical altercations involving three or more people. Under the change, every covered establishment would have to submit a written safety plan with an emergency evacuation plan and a current layout of the property, including both indoor and outdoor areas.
Safety plans and surveillance
Businesses would also have to outline staff training, including conflict de-escalation techniques for security personnel. The requirements include high-definition surveillance cameras, and the footage would have to be stored for at least 30 days.
Williams said the city believes the ordinance keeps patrons safe. He also said, “Today we revised a lot of the conditions of that ordinance to redefine some aspects and make sure we’re getting current safety plans and that those plans are actually being followed,” during the meeting.
O'Quinn and Tate on enforcement
Darrell O’Quinn said some venues have been “very problematic” and require four or five police officers working overtime to handle situations. LaTonya Tate said, “This ordinance would give the council a stronger opportunity to make decisions when applications come back — or when it comes to revocation in the city of Birmingham,” linking the proposal to future licensing decisions.
The ordinance traces back to the 2009 killing of 21-year-old Kelvyn Felder outside Club Zen, where police said he was stabbed during a fight outside the Morris Avenue nightclub. The suspect was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Williams said, “Over the past eight years, we have a very good track record of shutting them down” and added, “If you do not take the proper protocol to make sure that your establishment is safe we will revoke your license and shut that establishment down.” For owners of bars, nightclubs and other late-night businesses, the proposal means the city wants the safety plan on paper, the camera footage stored, and the rules ready before a compliance problem becomes a licensing fight.
