Reno cops seek 2-hour nap for bars

Reno bills itself as the "Biggest Little City in the World," a place that never sleeps, but residents in ear shot of some of the city's all-night bars are saying, enough already.
After numerous noise complaints, Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman has asked owners of 15 bars in downtown Reno's west side, normally open around the clock, to close their doors between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. so residents can get some shut eye. Most of the bars have voluntarily complied.

"I sleep with ear plugs," said Marilyn Johnson, an eight-year resident of a downtown Reno condominium tower. "They stay out until five or six in the morning."

The closures would help reduce police overtime on weekends, but Poehlman said the idea is primarily driven by complaints from residents living near bars in the area, which is the site of significant condominium development in recent years.

"Our problem is kind of unique with the number of condos being built down there," Poehlman said.

Rules vary in big cities

Closure of the bars would be a significant departure from historic practices in Reno, and different from the much larger 24-7 city Las Vegas.

Vegas has many bars open around the clock, said Officer Jay Rivera, a spokesman for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Rivera said he is aware of no similar situation to Reno's in Las Vegas. New Orleans bars are also allowed by local law to be open 24 hours, said Officer J. Valencia, public information officer for the city's police department. Hours of operation are "up to the individual owner," Valencia said.

In most cities, bars are required to close long before sunrise. In Los Angeles, city ordinances require bartenders to announce "last call" at 1:30 a.m., with the serving of alcohol after 2 a.m. strictly prohibited, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department. Spot checks by vice officers ensure bars comply, Eisenman said.

Elsewhere:

•New York City: Some 10,320 bars and restaurants that serve alcohol are allowed to stay open until 4 a.m. under state law, said Bill Crowley, spokesman for the New York State Liquor Authority.

•Boston: Bars are required to close no later than 2 a.m. Bars that have repeated problems may have conditions attached to business licenses that require an earlier closing at 1 a.m. or midnight, said Elaine Driscoll, spokeswoman for the Boston police.

•Chicago: Most bars are required to close at 2 a.m. most days, 3 a.m. on Saturdays. Some are allowed to stay open to 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. on Saturdays.

Authorities try to be mindful of impacts on bars to nearby residents, said Officer Veejay Zala of the Chicago Police Department.

"There are very few 4 o'clock licenses given out just for that reason," Zala said.

•Atlanta: Councilman Kwanza Hall asked this month for a study into the economic and public safety impacts of shutting bars down at 4 a.m. instead of 2:30 a.m. The change could raise money to help Atlanta deal with worsening revenue challenges but Hall said he wants to ensure problems don't result as well. The city changed to 2:30 a.m. bar closures in 2003, in part due to noise complaints, Hall said.

Cause 'too much racket'

After the Reno police chief made his request, the Reno City Council directed city staff to meet with downtown business owners, casino representatives and residents to explore the situation.

Officials are also considering fining bars where the most problems are reported. City Council members Pierre Hascheff and Dave Aiazzi say they favor fining bars with excessive police calls. The approach would be similar to the policy of fining people who have excessive false fire alarm calls, Hascheff said.

"After so many calls, you get billed for a certain number," Aiazzi said. "That's how we should punish these people."

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