Operating hours for sex businesses in Dallas could be changing. Chief Eddie García is pushing for sexual-oriented businesses to close at 2 a.m. and open no earlier than 6 a.m. due to increased violence occurring near adult establishments.
The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday, January 5, when a security officer killed a customer at Dallas Cabaret South after a fight broke out and the customer pulled out a gun.
“We are truly stretched too thin, and we do too much, which is exactly why we need this,” said García. “We’re often asked by council what more we need. This is that prime example of what we need to further reduce violent crime in our city.”
A similar rule was passed in Plano, Grand Prairie, and El Paso. In Fort Worth, sex businesses cannot open before 10 a.m. and must close by 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Businesses may remain open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Dallas Morning News reports the Dallas police have asked for the early closure of strip clubs. Still some council members do not want to take a vote on the matter until questions are answered regarding the rule and its effects on other sexual businesses, such as adult video, book, and novelty stores, some who remain open 24 hours. Dallas city attorneys say the new rule could only apply to strip clubs if enough data were to support it.
Other issues pertaining to a change of operating hours would be the loss of jobs and its impact on operators. One Dallas city council member suggested a task force to address the questions that lingered over six months. Other committee members voted to push the topic to be discussed by the city council next Wednesday, January 12, citing Chief García’s request and new data.
The plan is supported by Mayor Eric Johnson and at least two other council members. Between March and December of 2021, over 300 arrests were made, and over 1,000 citations were issued around North Dallas sex businesses.
While the issue is not currently on next weeks’ city council agenda, it could be added before the agenda is finalized.
