CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Cape Coral City Council will be revisiting an ordinance made in 2015 to extend bar hours on Monday. Cape bar customers and bar owners were mixed on whether or not they agree with the ordinance but were all concerned on the possibility of increased drunk driving.
“They don’t want you to drink and drive," said Louie Hopkins, who has owned a bar in Michigan for over 40 years. "Now they’re going to give you two more hours to drink and drive? It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
The proposal would be a comprise to the ordinance made in 2015, where bar hours were extended until 4 a.m. It lasted one year. The new proposed rule would only extend bar hours to 3 a.m.
In late January, Chief David Newlan of the Cape Coral Police Department, said they found a spike in crime when the hours were extended.
“At that time we did show peaks as far as when the bars were open, in the after hours, when the rate went up," said Newlan.
Others say the extended hours would be good for business.
“I think it’s going to bring more attention to the city. I think it’s great,” said one customer.
A public hearing for the proposed rule will be on March 19. In the meantime, for bars to extend their hours to 3 a.m. they need to meet a series of requirements. You can see a full list of requirements here.
