Residents urge midnight alcohol ban; council asks attorney to draft ordinance

Residents pressed the Ruston City Council on Sept. 3 to consider an ordinance stopping the sale of alcohol at midnight, seven nights a week, citing repeated late-night disturbances and two recent crashes they tied to patrons of local establishments.

"We would like the Council to strongly consider amending the ordinance of alcohol sales to end at midnight, seven days a week," a resident representing South-end neighbors told the council, describing multiple incidents of public drunkenness, fights, property damage and a collision that totaled "an $80,000 truck." The resident said the neighborhood has endured years of disruptive behavior and wants enforcement tools and a predictable quiet period after midnight.

Councilmembers acknowledged the residents' concerns and discussed enforcement and zoning limits. Mayor Hopkins clarified that the lot used for overflow parking across from the Unicorn is classified residential and not commercial. Councilmember Huson said parking on that residential lot should be referred to code enforcement. Councilmember Jensen said it was "time to take action and engage the City Attorney to write up an ordinance restricting the serving of alcohol and/or the business hours to midnight," and several councilmembers supported drafting such an ordinance for future consideration.

Councilmember Syler said she is collecting additional information and suggested possible involvement by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Councilmembers noted that a citywide ordinance restricting hours would affect all businesses and urged community participation in forthcoming discussions.

The council did not adopt any ordinance at the meeting; members directed staff and the City Attorney to prepare draft language and follow the normal ordinance process (first and second readings).