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City takes aim at drink prices on social media [St. Joseph News-Press (MO)](St. Joseph News-Press (MO) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A letter from the city sent to local bar owners has prompted some outcry. In it, the St. Joseph Police Department reminds bars it is against Missouri law to host all-you-can-drink specials. But it also says bars cannot advertise drink prices on social media, which is something bar owners say the city has no right to enforce. Sgt. Larry Stobbs Jr. said there is no change in laws, and the letter was sent as a reminder to bars on what they can and cannot do. Bars can advertise they will have special prices, for example Happy Hour from 6 to 7 p.m. or Ladies' Night on Thursdays, but they cannot list exact costs, such as beer for $1.50 or shots for $3. That regulation (11 CSR 70-2.240) applies to advertisements on radio, TV and newspapers. Now police say it also extends to social media. "That's no different than seeing it on a public advertisement," Mr. Stobbs said. "That's what a lot of places tend to forget about." Local bar owner Monte Ingram said he understands the concerns about all-you-can-drink specials, but it's the part about specific alcohol prices that's disconcerting. The owner of Club Hammerjacks, 512 Felix St., said he has been posting information about specials on the bar's Facebook page for at least four years now. "We don't believe St. Joe has any right to regulate and restrict the use of social media and what we do with social media, being that it's a public access network," he said. "We understand there are rules and regulations for TV, radio, newspaper, that have been in effect for a long time. "This is something new, and it's just not going over well with any of the bars right now." He added he believes the letter was sent simply to add additional regulations to small businesses, and wants more time to clarify the law before the Police Department starts writing tickets. Mr. Ingram and other bar owners were present at Tuesday's City Council meeting to voice their concerns. Because of that, city attorney Lisa Robertson said she has asked for clarification from the Missouri Department of Public Safety to the extent social media is considered advertisement. They also hope to clarify whether bars can get in trouble if employees or customers post prices on their personal pages - something they may have no control over. Ms. Robertson said she hopes to hear back from DPS within a week. The city has decided not to enforce the social media aspect until their questions are answered. However, Mr. Stobbs said he will enforce the all-you-can-drink aspect, simply because bars are not allowed to serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons. He added the Police Department has continually had problems with drunken drivers who admit that's where they were getting their alcohol. In a recent case, a woman who was over-served during that kind of promotion was sexually assaulted. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |