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 council members said they supported a public-safety response but differed over the best approach and the burden on small businesses. Council vice president and others urged the administration to meet business owners and to expand policing resources rather than penalize all businesses.

Councilwoman Frisbie pressed the legal and operational questions and said she had requested a memo on whether the council could impose a moratorium on so-called "pocket licenses." Several council members pressed city staff on police operations, deployment and vacancies; Captain Slack and others described current patrol staffing and said officers not assigned to patrol could be deployed if necessary. Council vice president read department vacancy numbers from the record: "238 officers, 71 on patrol," and council members argued about why many officers remain in investigative or administrative assignments instead of patrol shifts.

After debate the council president moved to table first reading of ordinance 25-69; the motion to table was seconded and passed on a roll call vote. Members discussed an amendment to change the proposed morning opening hour (the ordinance on the docket originally set an opening time of 6 a.m.), and the council indicated it would pursue clearer language to protect legitimate early-morning food preparation while restricting public access during overnight hours. Several council members said they would continue talks with business owners, police and state partners about targeted enforcement and additional patrols.

Public comment at the meeting was extensive. Residents, business owners and arts and neighborhood advocates urged a mix of approaches; some urged stricter limits on hours to curb disorder, while a number of downtown business owners and nightlife promoters said closing hours early would punish law-abiding entrepreneurs and remove an engine for economic activity.

Why it matters: The ordinance would change the operating environment in the portion of downtown designated as Trenton—s Entertainment District. Council members framed the debate as a choice between relying on policing and targeted enforcement or imposing citywide operating limits that might blunt downtown investment and harm small businesses.

Quotations: Mayor Ray Gassior: "This measure is not about putting anyone out of business. It's about putting the brakes on a surge in late night violence and disorder." Councilwoman Williams: "Nothing prohibits a business owner from coming in at 4 a.m. to prepare food; the hours of operation regulation opens the business to the public at 6 a.m." Councilwoman Figueroa Kettenberg: "We have to be careful not to penalize all businesses for the actions of a few."

Ending: The council tabled first reading and asked staff to craft clarifying language and to provide additional information on enforcement, police deployment and targeted measures. The item will return to council when staff and councilors agree on a redraft.