Last call will be coming sooner for some local clubs inside the city limits next year, as the state has approved a resolution cutting off alcohol sales at 2 a.m.
City officials approved the resolution Dec. 17 and had been waiting on the Mississippi Department of Revenue to remove resort status from four bars and nigh clubs.
“We did get the resolution from the department of revenue, and we can effectively right now start the last call for alcohol at 2 o’clock,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said.
The measure is not expected to go into effect until 2015, City Attorney Nancy Thomas said.
“We need to notify these owners that it is in effect, but when we’ll start enforcing it we will give them a heads up,” Thomas said.
Flaggs said the resolution could go into effect as soon as Jan. 2.
The resolution removes resort status for Beechwood Inn on East Clay Street, Monsour’s at the Biscuit Company and the Upper End on Washington Street and LD’s Kitchen on Mulberry St.
Under state law, a resort area is exempt from a city ordinance that prevents the sale of alcohol from 2 to 7 a.m. Monday thorough Saturday and from 2 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, meaning the bars can legally serve alcohol 24 hours a day.
None of Vicksburg’s four casinos will be affected by the impending change.
The removal of resort status will be added to the minutes of the board of mayor and aldermen meeting set for Tuesday, Thomas said.
“We’re putting it in the minutes and probably going to send them (bar owners) a letter as well,” she said. “It’s our responsibility to make sure that the owners of these establishments are notified before we start enforcement.”
Police Chief Walter Armstrong said the decision will help curb early morning-night crime.
“I think this is going to help us with crime after 2 a.m. We have noticed a significant volume of calls at nightspots after 2 a.m. We believe this will help put that to an end,” he said.
When the resolution was presented for city approval, Armstrong said his officers responded to 158 calls at bars and nightclubs over a six-month period.
“We see it as a public safety issue,” he said.