Redlands police are urging the city council to move the nightly alcohol service cutoff from 2 a.m. to midnight. Deputy Chief of Operations Jeremy Floyd told council members that late‑night drinking has contributed to a noticeable rise in crime over the past three years.

Police data drives the proposal

According to the department, officers have responded to more than 1,000 calls for service linked to late‑night activity. Over that three‑year span, the city recorded 44 assault reports, 13 robberies or shootings, and numerous weapon violations, city spokesperson Carl Baker said.

Floyd emphasized that these incidents strain the department’s resources, leaving fewer officers available for other emergencies. “When calls pile up after midnight, we are stretched thin,” he explained.

Bar owners warn of economic impact

Local entrepreneurs, however, argue that the proposed restriction would hurt downtown businesses that rely on post‑midnight patrons. Baron Bowman, owner of Redlands Underground Restaurant and Bar, said his venue sees its busiest traffic after midnight. “It’s not fair to put businesses out of business,” Bowman said. “People aren’t here to eat at midnight; they go to Denny’s instead.”

Bowman also pointed out that the problem, in his view, is not the bars themselves but the behavior that spills onto the streets. He described scenes of people drinking from bottles, smoking blunts, and fighting in a nearby parking garage, saying, “If someone never comes to a bar, it’s not my responsibility if people are partying in the streets.”

Balancing safety and livelihood

The city council has placed the proposal under review, noting concerns from both law‑enforcement officials and business owners. No vote has been scheduled yet, and council members are expected to hear additional testimony from community stakeholders before deciding.

While police stress the need for a safer nighttime environment, bar owners fear that an earlier cutoff could reduce revenue, limit jobs, and diminish the vibrancy of Redlands’ downtown district. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing public safety with the economic health of local enterprises.

Next steps

City officials will continue to gather input from residents, business leaders, and public‑safety personnel. The council plans to revisit the proposal at a future meeting, where a final decision on the midnight alcohol ban will be made.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.