New bill would create a registry of all the bands and DJs that play Philly: ‘It’s become necessary’

[hexola]

http://billypenn.com/2016/01/27/new-bill-would-create-a-registry-of-all-the-bands-and-djs-that-play-philly-its-become-necessary/

A new bill from Philly City Councilman Mark Squilla would require owners of nightclubs, cabarets, bars and restaurants in the city to collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of entertainers — bands, rappers and DJs — in a registry, and to share that personal information with police upon request.

The proposal, which was introduced last week and is headed to a committee hearing, would directly involve the Philadelphia Police Department in the approval process for so-called “Special Assembly Occupancy” licenses — giving law enforcement de facto veto power over whether shows can be held at venues that hold 50 or more people.

Police spokeswoman Denise James would not comment, instead referring Billy Penn to the department’s public affairs office, which did not respond.

Police would factor into their decision-making things like “crime, traffic, litter, noise, parking and hours of operation; as well as any community concerns, particularly those of neighbors in the immediate vicinity,” according to the bill. The bill even covers live-streaming of shows.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Do you haff Paperz? Let me see your Paperz.

[Lint Head]

2. Zen you plaay musick do you perform za Free Birdy? Maybe.......Sveet Homeland Alabama?

Vee vill hahf none of zat here or you vill be arrested.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Unjust laws ought to be disobeyed.

[MindPilot]

4. So, now can we call it a police state ?

When they single out DJs & rappers, it is pretty clear this is about curtailing the First Amendment rights of a certain segment of the population.

[KamaAina]

5. Welcome to the new live music capital of the Northeast, Camden, NJ.

[cutroot]

6. Obviously, these people have nothing better to do

[Glassunion]

7. I love the idea.

Only if it's single purpose is to keep Nickleback out of Philly.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. This is the sort of law that gets you nothing but Nickleback.

nt

[oberliner]

14. Ted Cruz is a big Nickleback fan

But I'm sure you already knew that.

[clarice]

8. More Guv intrusion,,,,,just what we all need.nt

[librechik]

9. so the best groups will perform in "underground" venues?

what else is new?

Authoritarian elements always make trouble for themselves so they look more important than they are.

[Nye Bevan]

10. Wow. I think Putin is finally going too far with this proposal.

Oh wait......

[haele]

12. Overboard reaction to a legitimate problem.

A couple decades ago, I lived in a 3rd floor studio with a large balcony that overlooked a small bar and dance club that catered to a local military base in an otherwise residential neighborhood. Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends were event nights, and it was always a miserable experience for residents; parking and just the access to the various apartment complexes around was always a pain after 7pm, and every month there would inevitably be one or two major fights in the parking lot or on the streets around the club between 11 and midnight - usually over a date or a slight fender bender, but there were occasions it was between one band and another after the sets were over.
My balcony was hit by bullets three times the year and a half I lived there, and I still have the 9mm slug that landed one midnight in my potted herbs rattling around somewhere. I kind of understand why the police might want to know if there's going to be a controversial performer in a small venue where there's not usually sufficient security if there's a major altercation.

Event participation spillage from small venues often causes issues in neighborhoods where there is a strong confrontational presence (homeowner's associations, gangs - culture, drug or race-related, ad-hoc neighborhood watch organizations, etc.) that takes umbrage to outsiders. Bands often have conflicts with each other, and if one is booked and the other isn't aware of it, or fills in for someone else at the last minute, there can be loud arguments and other signs of displeasure between the two. Conflicts over parking between residents and event participations is also a major problem.

Those are legitimate issues related to policing. And I can see where there might be some legal or criminal cases where a club owner should be required to comply if asked to turn over information on performers at the club, etc... which they should already be collecting for accounting purposes, so it should be public record anyway (unless it's an open mike night).

But police (as opposed to fire marshals) approving all shows at all small venues, including the live-streaming of that show? And then being all huffy "Ask Public Affairs about this" when asked?
That's a bit overboard. And who's going to pay for this new approval requirement and the enforcement?

Haele

[Snobblevitch]

13. This seems like prior restraint.

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. Bad bill