The Dallas City Council heard plans on Monday regarding a new Commercial Promoter Ordinance to keep promoters accountable for their events and partygoers safe.
Dallas has dealt with two deadly shootings at parties without permits in the past two months. At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Eric Johnson heard suggestions on how Dallas Police, code enforcement, and event services would work with the City to curb the violence recently seen across the metroplex.
“We want people to have fun,” said Mayor Johnson. “We want it to be a place that’s friendly for entertainment. But, it can’t be the wild west. It just can’t,” NBC DFW reports.
One person died, and sixteen others suffered injuries during a party with no permit on April 2. Over 2,000 attendees convened at the 5000 block of Cleveland Road in Oak Cliff.
The new ordinance would require party promoters to account for their events by registering as commercial promoters. The registration would include a fee and require renewal every two years. All promoted events would require a general safety plan that includes the signatures of the promoter, venue operator, and venue owner.
An event-specific safety plan will be required if it differs from the general safety plan or the event does not have a plan on file. The event-specific safety plan would only be good for the specific day, time, and location of the event and must also be signed by the promoter, venue operator, and venue owner.
Both safety plans must report TABC information, a description of the event, the number of attendees, crowd and security management, first aid, and medical information.
If promoters do not follow the rules or hold an event without a permit, they could be fined $2,000 for each violation.
Members of the Public Safety Committee approved the proposed plan. Councilman Jesse Moreno noted the City wants events that generate economic growth and include activities for all citizens.
The Dallas City Council will hold a public hearing on the matter on May 17, so it can hear community input before the ordinance is made permanent.
