Columbus Imposes New Rules for Event Venues

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Concerned by shootings and other crimes with connections to local party venues, Columbus is putting some tough new rules in place.

The rules apply to events for 100 people or more where alcohol likely will be consumed.

Among other things, the rules require a $75 permit five days in advance, $250,000 in liability insurance per event, and a security person for every 50 people. Police and fire personnel would have free access during events and can shut it down for any violations.

The rules don’t apply to city owned properties but will to the Fairgrounds, the American Legion, the new Southern venue downtown and others.

Violators face losing the right to future permits and a 500 fine for a first offense. The new rules take effect immediately.

The City Council declared an emergency, which means the rules take effect immediately.

Council members first brought up the idea several months ago after a shooting during a party at the Columbus Fairgrounds. Another recent fatal shooting that had its roots in a dispute at another party at the Fairgrounds added some urgency to efforts by Police Chief Tony Carleton, Mayor Robert Smith and City Attorney Jeff Turnage to get them finalized.

Carleton said the permit and rules would give his officers more notice of potential problem areas and the tools to be able to check events and intervene earlier, as well as security and party contacts in advance. He told Council members the new ordinance is part of a broader effort by his department to target neighborhood hotspots where problems are occurring, better cooperation with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department and more traffic and DUI checkpoints.

In other action, the council approved about $78,000 in amendments to the city’s 10-13-14 budget, which ends Sept. 30, to make up for expense overruns, primarily for insurance and engineering costs. The money will come from money set aside for the renovation of City Hall and energy efficiency rebates.

And the Columbus school district’s plans to turn the historic Magnolia Bowl into a walking track, outdoor learning center and community asset take a step forward.

The City Council approved providing city labor to help tear down the old dressing room and press box and two walls that look over the north side of the old stadium. Columbus Light and Water will also help and plans to use the brick and concrete for rip rap at its sewage lagoons.

The school district has not finalized plans but eventually plans to take down at least part of the old concrete bleachers and transform the field into a maze walking track and other learning centers.