Proposed Ybor business curfew at 1 a.m. criticized but remains in play

A proposal by a Tampa city councilwoman to temporarily close Ybor businesses at 1 a.m. met with immediate public resistance at a Thursday city council meeting, but the proposal remains a possibility. 

City and business officials, reeling from an early morning shooting on Oct. 29 that killed two and wounded at least 15 people during an Ybor City night event, have not completely denied the proposal. Instead, they are looking at restrictions of late-night car and foot traffic, including closing businesses at 1 a.m. in Ybor City. They are also making sure those restrictions do not violate state law.

Adam Smith, a spokesperson for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, says the mayor has not ruled out the business curfew.

"She supports exploring it," says Smith in an email. "Our city attorney's office is doing that, but warns that the it has quite a few obstacles to make it workable."

Another supporter of the proposal? Darryl Shaw, the influential developer behind Ybor's proposed Gas Worx and a longtime advocate for redeveloping Ybor City. Shaw wrote in the Tampa Bay Times on Nov. 1 that he wants a six-month test of closing businesses "no later than 1 a.m."

And the CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce told the Business Observer in a written statement that the chamber wants to examine ways to help make Ybor City, long troubled by crime, safer.

"We support any measure that ensures the safety of all citizens and allows businesses to operate," says Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. "It's a delicate balance. Business owners and city leaders are examining all the options and we support that process."

Tampa City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson proposed the idea of a business curfew. The temporary measure would last for six months, according to a statement, "during which time the city would study violence in Ybor and identify potential solutions."

The idea was discussed by the public during the Thursday council meeting. During the meeting, it was noted there was no official proposal or ordinance before the council. Henderson could not reached for comment on Monday.

Tampa police are not waiting for studies, however. Tampa police, including the chief himself, targeted Ybor City this past weekend and made hundreds of traffic stops and put major heat — 100 officers — on the street.

"Through their proactive efforts, officers were able to make a number of stops which led to several arrests, including the felony arrest of two 16-year-old males," the Tampa police say in a Sunday news release. 

Tampa police say they made 11 felony arrests, 17 misdemeanor arrests and 210 traffic stops. Police also seized one gun.

The Ybor Chamber of Commerce has so far stayed out of the fray, with an official noting it took no position on the proposal.