Davis Lifts Nightclub Moratorium, But Adds New Restrictions

DAVIS (CBS13) — Davis city leaders voted unanimously to lift a months-long moratorium on nightclubs in city limits after the September stabbing death of a man at a downtown nightclub.

City leaders say they plan to implement tough new rules for all businesses with any form of entertainment.

In September, Peter Gonzalez was stabbed to death while celebrating a wedding at KetMoRee in Downtown Davis. The crime shocked residents and prompted the Davis City Council to ban any new nightclubs until security measures could be put in place.

Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel now has a set of new rules requiring nightclubs, bars and restaurants with live music, dancing or DJs to obtain an $800 entertainment permit. That allows the chief to establish specific conditions on each business, including hiring extra security, changing hours of operation, and limiting how many people can be inside at once.

"We might want to impose conditions related security checks related to bag checks up front, even wands to make sure people aren't bringing in weapons," he said.

If the rules are broken, the permit can be pulled and the business shut down.

Business owners are on board he says, but students like Hunter Secen have concerns.

"I think more than making it safer it will raise prices for restaurants and bars, and they'll pass the price off to the customers," he said.