This week the city council in Camden, Arkansas discussed a proposal to legalize public drinking in part of the city’s downtown area.
Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R – Smackover) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.
So far Mountain Home, Little Rock, Texarkana, Sherwood, and El Dorado have established entertainment districts where public drinking is legal.
Eureka Springs has opted to create temporary entertainment districts during events like Oktoberfest and Bikes, Blues, and BBQ.
Fayetteville, Pine Bluff, and Fort Smith reportedly are considering ordinances that would create public drinking districts in their cities.
The Camden City Council will vote on the proposed public drinking ordinance at its next meeting in November.
Public drinking is a scourge on the community.
It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.
Public drinking won’t attract new businesses, bolster the economy, or revitalize Main Street. It hurts neighborhoods and families.
That’s why Family Council has put together a free toolkit to help citizens oppose public drinking ordinances like Camden’s.
Our toolkit contains talking points, information about problems public drinking has caused in other states, photographs of public drinking districts elsewhere around the country, and other resources you can use to fight public drinking in your community.
