WY: Casper police chief advises against loosening open-container laws
By Katie King
August 15, 2018
City leaders ultimately didn’t reach a decision this week on whether to loosen alcohol regulations in Casper — but it appears unlikely that any drastic changes are on the horizon.
“Just a little bit of regulation of alcohol goes a long way,” said Police Chief Keith McPheeters, who cautioned at the City Council’s Tuesday work session against eliminating any restrictions.
The city’s open-container laws were briefly relaxed downtown during last August’s Wyoming Eclipse Festival. After noting that drinkers behaved responsibly, the Council decided to discuss whether those rules could be permanently loosened in sections of the city’s core.
McPheeters told the Council that the festival’s success was largely due to months of planning and an increased police presence downtown.
“Remember how many officers we had at the scene,” he said, explaining that the department does not have enough funding to increase patrols on a regular basis.
The chief then discussed Barrow, a remote Alaskan town of 4,300 that experienced a significant decrease in crime after outlawing alcohol for a period in the 1990s. Felony assaults declined by 86 percent, drunk driving arrests sank by 79 percent and reports of domestic violence decreased by 27 percent, he said.
Explaining that he wasn’t pushing for prohibition in Casper, McPheeters said he just wanted to highlight that alcohol frequently plays a role in crime.
Fifty-nine percent of the people arrested in Casper are under the influence of alcohol at the time of their arrest, according to the chief. He warned that even a small change, like relaxing open container laws, could have unintended consequences.
After listening to the chief’s input, some council members said they supported his recommendation.
“I’m behind you 100 percent, [it was a] bad idea,” said Councilwoman Kenyne Humphrey.
Even during special occasions, Councilman Bob Hopkins said he saw no need to allow open-containers.
“They don’t need to do that to have a good time,” he said.
Others thought the issue needed further discussion. Councilman Jesse Morgan said he didn’t see the harm in allowing citizens to carry their drinks along a block or two downtown during routine events, like Art Walk.
“I don’t see it as that big of a problem,” Morgan said.
Vice Mayor Charlie Powell said he thought city officials could find a middle ground that would allow a little more leniency without creating more crime.
“We did do well during the eclipse,” he said, adding he did not believe the only reason drinkers behaved responsibly was due to the increased police presence.
The Council ultimately decided to revisit the issue at a later date.
This is not the first time McPheeters has expressed concerns about the over-consumption of alcohol.
McPheeters explained that bar patrons who become overly intoxicated eventually leave the establishment and can then create problems for other residents and the police.
The chief encouraged the Council to re-examine the city’s demerit system for liquor license holders. The Council does not currently begin to take disciplinary action until a liquor license holder has reached 125 demerit points within a year.
Many violations are 25 points, including serving alcohol to minors, selling alcohol outside of the established hours or failing to maintain exits and emergency escapes. Disciplinary action can include anything from a brief liquor license suspension to revoking a license completely.
Mike Reid, who co-owns Poplar Wine and Spirits and Vintage Fine Wine and Martini Bar, previously told the Star-Tribune that he understands the chief’s concerns. He said he believes almost everyone involved in the liquor businesses would be willing to work alongside the city to find solutions.
“I don’t think anybody wants to see anybody [else] get hurt,” he said.