Wichita City Council members have approved changes in city ordinances to allow the police chief to take action if a club or entertainment venue has problems with criminal conduct or violence.
Assistant City Attorney Jan Jarman told the council that current ordinances are inconsistent and they provide a “difficult road map for police to follow.”
Under the changes, the police chief can issue an emergency suspension of an entertainment, liquor, beer, tobacco or club license for an establishment if there has been a significant violent act or if there is a credible threat of violence to the public, combined with a lack of security. The owners of a club or establishment will be required to attend a meeting with the police chief, so they can talk about ways to deal with violence.
The police chief will be able to suspend a license up to 30 days if repeated violence has occurred over a six-month period and the club or establishment has not taken enough steps to deal with the issue.
Jarman said there will be an appeals process for club owners to challenge a suspension.
Clubs and establishments will be required to have a safety plan.
