Tampa Says Yes to Alcohol on Sunday

Lately, there have been plenty of discussions regarding the consumption of alcohol. It is no secret to anyone that Hillsborough County as well as other counties have been facing real difficulties, as the number of deaths because of drunk driving has certainly increased. As it is normal, this issue has raised real concerns about the adequate consumption of alcohol, making the city commission consider several rules of conduct and not only, in the hope of reducing the number and bringing security to the community. Apparently, the discussion was held around the topic of purchasing alcohol during specific hours. It seems that the local committee believes that selling alcohol on Sundays should not be permitted. As expected, this has led to a significant amount of dissatisfaction coming from the public. One has to see matters for exactly what they are. Alcohol is a business, a fast developing, and successful business. There are about 2,850 establishments, owning licenses and selling alcohol beverages in Tampa. By limiting the hours in which these establishments may sell alcohol beverages, the level of profit will certainly have to suffer.

However, it seems that this is the solution that the committee found appropriate to adequately solve the problem of drunk driving. Thus, taking a vote on this matter is of course the democratic manner of handling a rather disruptive and problematic issue. Even though everyone was sure of the result of the meeting, it of course was required to take place. Apparently, what was a sure thing did not resist and instead, the large public heard the news that selling alcohol would be permitted just before noon, between the hours of 1 pm until 11am, during Sundays. The vote was 4-3 and the commission finally said yes to a more relaxed policy, which in time will certainly have the expected results regarding drunk driving. The audience was stunned and it is only fair, given the fact that not too long ago, alcohol raids were held in Tampa. Raids that led to serious convictions for some parties. Also, discussions meant to draw attention on drunk driving were getting more and more popular, once again trying to send out an alarm signal.

Hours before the vote, the feeling was that bars, nightclubs, cafes would be losing a lot of money once the tough provisions are accepted. The decision to loosen things a bit was quickly explained by the Sheriff’s Department. It seems that numbers are looking better and the anti drunk driving campaign has had better results than anyone thought. The Sheriff believes that relaxing things a bit now, as a reward for a good behavior, if you will, is the right attitude, helping things to develop properly on the long term. Only time will tell whether or not loosening things a bit was in fact the right attitude. Hopefully, statistics were right and drunk driving is a topic that will soon be corrected.