61 homicides have been linked to the venues since 2005 The Prince George’s County Council passed legislation Tuesday aimed shutting down dance venues with a reputation for violent and sometimes deadly crime.
The emergency bill is designed to make owners, event promoters and others responsible for security plans at dance halls more culpable for the violence occurring around them. The bill passed by a unanimous vote, in time for County Executive Rushern Baker to sign the measure and for county officials to begin enforcing it this summer.
“Our county is overrun with dance halls for adults and teenagers operating in illegal environments,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks. “Typical situations at the clubs often escalate into front-page headlines that reflect poorly on our county and residents.”
Six homicides this year have been directly related to dance halls — nightclubs and event centers with a dance license — according to police officials.
Since 2005, 61 homicides have been linked to dance halls.
“We’ve had too much violence associated with these establishments, and it has to stop,” said Police Chief Mark Magaw.
The bill drew overwhelming support from law enforcement officials, but business owners and promoters say the law will fall short of its goals and hurt the county’s legitimate businesses.
The bill’s high fees for dance licenses and required closing times will hurt businesses that operate in good faith, while venues that ignore county laws and regulations will continue to thrive, according to Doc Hayes, owner of Club Elite in Temple Hills.
“The broad stroke is far too wide. Whenever we’re talking, even today, we simply say ‘these nightclubs,’ ” Hayes said. “That ends up including places that don’t have these kinds of problems.”
Separate licenses for adult and teen dance halls would cost $1,000 annually, and dancing must end at 2 a.m., costing businesses valuable late-night profits, Hayes said.
Hayes and other club owners and promoters, as well as Ron Moten, co-founder of the D.C. nonprofit Peaceoholics, lamented that the council had not reached out to businesses for their input.
Councilwoman Karen Toles, D-Suitland, the bill’s chief sponsor, said she worked with the police department and other county officials on the bill, and called the legislation a community effort.
But Toles didn’t consult business owners on how to make nightclubs and surrounding neighborhoods safer, Hayes said.
“Take a step back and give the people in the industry the opportunity to weigh in and actually achieve what everybody wants: safe recreation for adults in Prince George’s County,” Hayes said.
