CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- We now know how much it will cost to keep bars open to the wee hours of night in Cape Coral.
Police, fire and EMS leaders presented data Wednesday night, showing how much it really costs to keep Cape Coral's bars open until 4 am.
In police resources alone, the department says it needs more than $650,000.
They say it's necesssary to keep people in the city safe. "We're asking to reinstate four of those officers, and one supervisor. That will one, help us with our traffic problem. Two, fill in the gap with the twelve officers that we need. And three, work our extended bar hours on a consistent basis," said Chief Bart Connelly.
Bar owners were allowed to extend closing time until 4 am Saturday and Sunday mornings, but they need a permit to do it.
