DETROIT – Detroit City Council Pro Tem Gary Brown is floating around the idea of an ordinance to keep Coney Island restaurants and gas stations from operating after hours.
Brown, former deputy police chief for the city, said after hours are also prime hours for crime to happen. He referenced the recent fatal shooting of a Highland Park gas station clerk at 3:30 a.m.
"If you look at the data on shootings and robberies, they take place at establishments open late," Brown said.
The restricted hours could be between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Peter Hysay hates the idea. He says up to 150 customers visit his Gratiot Grill Coney Island during the wee hours of the morning.
"We figure it's a free country. Why can't we stay open as long as we want?" he said.
Detroiters working late shifts wonder how they would get gas when they need it.
Brown said the new ordinance, which is only in the planning stages, might not go as far as banning late hours. But he says businesses that want to stay open should be required to hire off- duty police officers, and to upgrade their security systems.