Audio clip
Jack Benson
An amendment to Chattanooga city code proposed to curb violence at large gatherings would make the hosts, venue owners, promoters and attendees liable for incidents that occur during events.
“We do have a problem,” city Attorney Randy Nelson said Tuesday during the City Council’s Legal and Legislative Committee’s meeting. “Therefore we need to take some action.”
The first draft of the amendment mentions, among other incidents, a Feb. 16 shooting at a party at the Chattanooga Theatre Center that left four people with gunshot wounds and a Feb. 17 shooting at the National Guard Armory that resulted in gunshot wounds to two teenagers.
“What we did today was really put some teeth into the laws that would exercise control over any disorder out there,” Committee Chairman Jack Benson said.
Committee members will review the amendment again in two weeks.
The ordinance would make it illegal for any person, business or organization to host or sponsor a gathering or special gathering of more than 100 people unless adequate security is provided by the host.
Adequate security is defined as one security person for every 25 people in attendance. A gathering refers to a group of people in one place for a common purpose. A special gathering is a gathering not scheduled on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis, according to the amendment.
It also would be unlawful for a person, business or organization to allow people 16 and under to attend a gathering or special gathering of more than 100 people unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The amendment excludes weddings and funerals.
Mr. Nelson said police officers would not specifically seek out violations. Rather, the amendment would serve as a tool to hold people accountable when incidents occur at large events.
Violations of the proposed amendments could result in people being cited to city court and fined up to $50 plus court costs.
VIOLENT INCIDENTS AT YOUTH GATHERINGS
* Feb. 16, 2008 — A shooting at a party at the Chattanooga Theatre Center left four people wounded.
* Feb. 17, 2008 — A shooting after a concert at the National Guard Armory resulted in gunshot wounds to two teenagers.
* April 2004 — Multiple fights at a sorority party at the Hamilton County Convention and Trade Center led to multiple injuries and arrests of college-age individuals.
* June 2003 — A shooting at the Bessie Smith Strut left a 20-year-old man dead and a 15-year-old man seriously injured.
Source: Newspaper archives
