Mayor Booker Vetoes 'Chicken Shack' Ordinance

[The Straight Story]

Mayor Booker Vetoes 'Chicken Shack' Ordinance

Newark Mayor Cory Booker vetoed an ordinance that would force small restaurants to post an armed guard during late-night hours of operation, calling for the city council to come up with a "more cost-effective" plan in partnership with law enforcement officials.

"I believe that if the council can work together with our police to come up with pro-active legislation like they want, then it's a win-win-win: a win for our community, a win for our business community, a win for our public safety, most importantly," said Booker, who announced his veto at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

The ordinance, backed by South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka in an effort to reduce violence in high-crime areas, would require restaurants that seat less than 15 places to hire an armed security guard from 9 p.m. until closing time. If the restaurant cannot afford to hire a guard, they would be forced to shut down for the evening.

The bill has colloquially been dubbed the "chicken shack ordinance" because it targeted take-out restaurants, like Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza, where off-duty Newark police officer William C. Johnson Jr. was fatally shot inside in May.


http://westward.patch.com/articles/mayor-booker-vetoes-chicken-shack-ordinance

[Abq_Sarah]

1. An armed security guard

Isn't going to be able to prevent a drive by shooting, which is what killed officer Johnson.