Commissioner Bruce Delaney, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said extending the drinking hours may not end late-night garbage and interactions in downtown parking lots. I stay open-minded on issues. I want to see that it worked somewhere else first. Gainesville police spokeswoman Lt. Carol Bishop said a great deal of police resources go into keeping downtown safe and controlled at night.
Traffic is a problem and crowding is a problem.
But Bishop said police cannot take a formal stand on the benefits or downfalls of extending the drinking hours until the Public Safety meeting on May 9. Another city Party revelers in the Ft. Walton Beach-Destin area have until 4 a.m. to drink. Nancy Hussong, County Commission Public Affairs Manager, said the commission has not heard any complaints. Rick Hord, spokesman for the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, said the question of what times the bars should close has never been a question.