Various changes to alcohol regulations and disorderly conduct were made to the Cobb County Code Feb. 27 by 5-0 votes of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.
They include allowing Cobb law enforcement to arrest people for public intoxication and, at athletic events or special events, for disorderly conduct.
Public intoxication is defined by the county to be any person in a state of intoxication or incapacitation caused by drugs, alcohol, concentrated vapors or inhalants. They could be arrested for demonstrating boisterousness; public indecency; indecent acts; “fighting words” or “loud, boisterous language directed towards another to create a breach of the peace that potentially would be dangerous to the safety of persons or property”; unconscious; disoriented or unable to care for his or her own needs or recognize obvious dangers.
In a companion change to public intoxication, disorderly conduct at athletic events or special events includes:
- No person shall throw, toss or deposit a bottle, can, metal, paper, debris or item "of any type or nature whatsoever" onto the playing field, playing diamond, playing court, track, ring, stage, any other playing or special event area or any other restricted area next to or at any person who is a participant, player, official, promoter or employee.
- No unauthorized persons shall go onto the playing field, playing diamond, playing court, track, ring, stage, any other playing or special event area or any other restricted area - designated as restricted by the promoter of the event or exhibition - without first obtaining the permission of the promoter.
Two more sites were added to the list where alcoholic beverages may be served at closed functions of nonprofits - Cobb County International Airport and the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center. Already approved were the Cobb Civic Center, Jim R. Miller Park, East Cobb Park, Mable House Complex, Cobb County Safety Village, Hyde Farm, Stout Park, county community centers, senior facilities or county art centers/theaters. Alcoholic beverage sales are not allowed at these functions, but a general admission fee may be charged in advance.
Temporary alcoholic beverage licenses can be issued for trade shows through the existing license provided to the facility where the trade show is occurring instead of through a separate application. The license will continue to be for no more than three days for tasting and/or sampling on the event premises. However, the tasting limitation of no more than two ounces has been removed.
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