3 Reasons the Point Beach Midnight Alcohol Ban is a Bad Idea and What We Can Do [OPINION]

OurMonmouth, Flickr

These are just my opinions. They are opinions coming from someone who hardly drinks. So, if you think I'm a lush hanging on for the next drink, you're wrong. These are also opinions from someone who feels that the officials of Point Pleasant Beach have made a catastrophic mistake that will affect the people of the town and the people of the Shore. This is simply an easy money maker for the town.

If one is to really delve into the Point Pleasant Beach "last call" ruling, it is clear that is that the ordinance is terribly damaging for the town and its businesses. This will cause more bad than good. Here are just 3 reasons why shutting down the bars at 12AM will hurt PPB. More...

Frank Gaglione, Getty Images

Loss of Employee Income

Does the town of Point Pleasant Beach know when its establishments make the most money at the bars? Yes they do. More on that later. Ask any bartender when they make the most money. Just this week I asked someone who tends bar in Point Pleasant Beach and they told me what every other bartender says. The drinks are flowing and the tips are rolling in the most between midnight and 1:30a.m.. At first thought one thinks that the midnight restriction will hurt bars and establishments, and they would be right. But, there are hard working, LOCAL employees of these places of business who will be taking a huge loss of income. These are people who work here and pay taxes here. It's just bad for business overall.

Marta Nardini, Getty Images

Bad Image for Point Pleasant Beach

Let's face it, tourism is a business. A big business. Point Pleasant Beach is competing with Belmar and Seaside Heights just to name a couple. By making last call at midnight, the town is giving itself a bad image. Councilman Stephen Reid who voted against the measure said it best.

We’re sending a message if we vote for this that we’re not open for business and that’s not good.

Now that that ordinance has passed, the message will be felt loud and clear: Point Pleasant Beach closes at midnight. Not just bars. The town. Add that to the loss of money. Or is there really a loss? More on that later.

Sean Locke, Getty Images

Safety

The ban of alcohol in Point at midnight was presented to the public and especially the residents as a way to protect their safety. In reality, this ban will make Point Pleasant Beach less safe. Here's a scenario. It's summertime in Point. The boardwalk is packed, downtown is is busy and the clubs, bars and restaurants are jammed. The people this ban was created for, the people who are going to show their lack of responsibility no matter what law is in effect realize it's 11:30. You can bet your next cocktail that they are going to power drink until midnight. Then, what do you think they're going to do? Call it a night? No, they're going to get into their vehicles and drive to the next town north or south to drink some more. I certainly think the above situation is far more dangerous than what we've all been accustomed to. Plain and simple, banning the sale of alcohol at midnight WILL NOT stop people from drinking. This ban will make the town more dangerous.

In Closing...

If this ruling from Point Pleasant Beach was so important and in the interest of the public safety, they would have voted and put the ban in place. Case closed.

But why do that when you can say "alright, alright, you can serve until two, but it's going to cost ya."

A second ordinance, which was postponed until the council’s June 12 meeting, sets the fee to serve up to 2 a.m. at $60 per person based on an agreed-upon occupancy. Even the Department of Community Affairs has called this "unlawful!"

So why the $60 a head fee? The town will tell you it's because of the increased cost of patrols keeping the peace. Do you really believe that? Point Pleasant Beach isn't having any money problems, or finding ways to make money. Have you been there lately? Ask someone who lives in Point Pleasant Beach about their taxes while you're at it.

This is an easy way for the town to make money, that's all. This is going to come at the expense of excellent businesses. By the way, the two biggest who serve alcohol made a combined seven figure settlement with the town to keep up the quality of life for the borough. That's not enough? It's also going to cost us! If establishments are forced to pay this fee, it's going to be passed down to the patron even when we drink before 12AM.

This ban could economically and socially ruin Point Pleasant Beach. But, there are ways to fight it.