Trenton council tables proposed ban on late-night public hours in Entertainment District after heated debate on policing

The Trenton City Council on July 29 heard a presentation from Mayor Ray Gassior proposing ordinance 25-69, which would restrict public hours in the city—s Entertainment District, but the council ultimately tabled first reading after lengthy debate over public safety, police staffing and economic impacts.

Mayor Gassior told the council the measure was "not about putting anyone out of business," but about "putting the brakes on a surge in late-night violence and disorder" on East State Street. He said incidents over the previous 30 days included shootings and a homicide and that the city had spent "over $13,000 in police overtime per weekend" to manage late-night disturbances.

The proposed ordinance would limit hours of operation in the Entertainment District so businesses could not admit the public past a designated hour; council members discussed narrowing exemptions and clarifying that the rule applies to when the public may enter, not to staff preparing food. Several…