By Ray King
The Pine Bluff City Attorney will be asked to determine if liquor stores can be ordered to close at 9 p.m. because of curfew ordered by Mayor Shirley Washington.
At a virtual meeting of the city council’s Public Safety Committee Wednesday afternoon, Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said the department has had calls about businesses deemed nonessential that were still open, despite a directive from the governor that certain non-essential businesses close. He specifically mentioned a bingo parlor located near East Harding and Commerce Road, and arcades which Sergeant said had started up.
“A supervisor has gone inside and asked them to shut down,” Sergeant said.
He then brought up liquor stores which he said were staying open until midnight and Council member and former Police Chief Ivan Whitfield suggested asking the stores to lock their doors at 9 p.m. and only provide window service.
Mayor Shirley Washington said Wal Mart is closing at 8:30 p.m. and Super 1 Foods at 8 p.m.
“I think somebody needs to look at it,” the Mayor said. “I think they should all close at the same time.”
Whitfield said that the city did not mandate that Wal Mart or Super 1 close at a certain time and suggested asking the city attorney for an opinion.
“We need it to be legal,” Council member Win Trafford said.
On another subject, Sargent said the department is trying to rotate personnel in and out to reduce the risk of exposure to the Corona virus. To that end, Starting Sunday, one entire patrol shift will be given a week off with officers from specialized divisions filling in for the patrol officers who are off.
That will continue until each of the three patrol shifts has received the time off.
Sergeant said 10 members of the department have been affected by COVID-19. Two officers tested positive and seven officers and one clerk self-quarantined after being exposed to the virus. All 10 have now been cleared and returned to duty.
