KSHB 41 reporter La’Nita Brooks covers stories providing solutions and offering discussions on topics of crime and violence. She also covers stories in the Northland. Share your story idea with La’Nita.
—
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council passed an ordinance Thursday banning the sale of single-shot liquor bottles and establishing "Retail Alcohol Impact Areas" in designated neighborhoods in an attempt to reduce crime.
"Today's vote is a win for the residents who have been asking us to act for years," KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement. "These are common sense, targeted restrictions, and they will make a real difference in neighborhoods that have waited long enough for relief."
Ordinance 260250, which places restrictions on certain quick-consumption alcohol products, passed in a 7-6 vote.
The vote drew applause from the crowd inside the meeting, but business owners outside had a much different reaction.
“I’m extremely disappointed," said Frank Fazzino, owner of Top Spot. "I mean this ordinance will do nothing to solve the problems we’re having."
The Prospect Avenue-Southeast, Independence Avenue, Midtown, Central Business District and Blue Ridge corridors have been identified as the "Retail Alcohol Impact Areas" based on community input and public safety data, per a press release from the city.
Certain businesses in those areas will not be allowed to sell distilled spirits of 200 milliliters or less with 35% or more alcohol content, which includes half-pints, nips, minis, shooters and airplane bottles, or malt beverages and beer sold in containers of 40 ounces or less, according to the ordinance.
“They keep talking about blight, they keep (insinuating) that there’s no economic value there or dollars there," said Kay White, owner of WW Crown Convenience Store. "Well, that’s not a business owner's problem."
Sponsor of the bill, Councilmember Melissa Robinson, 3rd district, said the decision to implement the ban came from a recommendation by the public safety task force and the urban summit.
“The staff came back and said if you really want to address some of the root causes of the nuisances in that area, you need regulate the alcohol,” Robinson said.
Missouri State Rep. Jon Patterson, R-District 30, submitted an amendment to preempt the city's bill after seeing coverage on the ban by KSHB 41 reporter La'Nita Brooks.
“I actually became aware of this through your reporting,” Patterson said. “It's liquor stores now, but it could be another kind of small businesses. And if municipalities start targeting certain neighborhoods with certain ordinances, I think that’s not good for small businesses — I think it would put them out of business, and that’s why I decided to do something at the state."
Mayor Lucas is aware of the amendment and invites State Rep. Patterson to visit the communities impacted.
“I would encourage him to come talk to the neighbors along Prospect, come talk to the neighbors along Independence Avenue, talk to all the people who have said we desperately need to protect the health and safety of our communities,” Lucas said.
While businesses say the ban could impact their sales by up to 50%, they hope the state bill passes.
“We’re gonna fight it in the courts from this point on,” Fazzino said.
Retail package license holders will have to comply within 60 days after the ordinance takes effect.
The ban excludes grocery stores. On-premises establishments, such as restaurants and taverns, are also not affected.
—
