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DeKalb delays decision on earlier bar closing time

More than 40 people stood in opposition to early bar closing hours in DeKalb County at the DeKalb Commission meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. MARK NIESSE / MARK.NIESSE@AJC.COM
More than 40 people stood in opposition to early bar closing hours in DeKalb County at the DeKalb Commission meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. MARK NIESSE / MARK.NIESSE@AJC.COM
By and
Dec 5, 2017

Bars in DeKalb County can continue to stay open until 4 a.m. — at least for now.

The DeKalb Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 Tuesday to delay a decision until next week on whether to cut off alcohol service at 2 a.m. in unincorporated areas. Commissioners asked county police to compile crime statistics surrounding late-night bars before reducing their hours.

More than 40 bar owners and employees wore red shirts and stood in unified opposition against the earlier closing time, saying that implementing it countywide would punish all businesses rather than those that are causing problems.

But residents who live near bars say an earlier closing time would reduce crime, noise and drunk driving that's prevalent around clubs that stay open into early-morning hours.

>>Exclusive to subscribers: Read the full story on myAJC.com.

About the Authors

Mark Niesse covers Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief. In this role, she writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.

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