Rogers City Leaders Discuss Public Drinking

City leaders and officials in Rogers are weighing whether or not to permit public drinking in some parts of town, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.

Public drinking has been authorized in a few cities and towns around Arkansas — including El Dorado, Texarkana, Mountain Home, Springdale, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Sherwood, Little Rock, and North Little Rock — since Act 812 passed last year.

Leaders in Rogers reportedly are considering whether or not to allow public drinking in the southwest part of the city near the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion and Pinnacle Hills Promenade mall.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would legalize public drinking in their communities.

Springdale City Council Authorizes Public Drinking District

On Tuesday the Springdale City Council voted to allow public drinking throughout part of downtown.

The vote was 5-3.

Under the city’s ordinance, public drinking will be legal in certain areas from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy. It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Springdale City Council To Re-Consider Public Drinking Proposal on August 11

On Tuesday the Springdale City Council considered a proposal permitting public drinking throughout much of the city’s downtown area.

The council reportedly opted not to make a decision on the ordinance until a future meeting in order to give the public more time to comment on the proposal.

The public drinking proposal is expected to appear on the agenda for the council’s August 11 meeting.

Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.

Public drinking districts have been proposed and authorized in multiple cities and towns around Arkansas since Act 812 passed last year.

Springdale’s proposed ordinance would permit public drinking throughout much of downtown from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM seven days a week.

You can read a copy of the proposed ordinance here.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

That’s why Family Council has put together a free toolkit to help citizens oppose these public drinking districts.

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.

Click here to download our free toolkit.