TAMPA, Florida — The Halloween weekend shooting in Ybor City that killed two people and injured 16 others has the Tampa City Council talking about a citywide curfew.
Under the proposal, anyone under 16 may not be out past 11 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and past midnight Fridays through Sundays.
Council members voted 5-2 in favor of the proposal to move forward.
Tom DeGeorge, owner of Crowbar, believes the long-term solution is rooted in community investment for the area's youth. For instance, through programs that provide opportunities to thrive away from a life on the streets.
He's called Ybor City home for more than 20 years.
"If you try to fix it with knee-jerk reactions or low-hanging fruit, you're not going to be successful," DeGeorge said. "I just don't see how they're going to enforce it properly without getting sued."
Councilmember Lynn Hurtak raised concerns about how these safety changes would be applied and if minorities would be targeted.
"Right now, I know there are minority communities who are fearful, and they're concerned about being approached," Hurtak said.
Concerns surrounding parking lot "parties," closure of 7th Avenue, increased community-based activities and involvement with teens, as well as a juvenile curfew, were all mentioned.
There is an existing ordinance that requires parking lots to have attendants. The council is looking into how to better enforce that existing policy.
Under the draft proposal, the penalty could ultimately lead to a fine.
DeGeorge also stressed the need for those who call the community home, like its small business owners, to be included in the conversation.
"You have to play the long game with stuff like this and develop very deep community programs that support our youth, and give them other options on things to do and be productive other than ending up on the streets," DeGeorge said.
Recently, DeGeorge initiated quarterly trainings, which include a range of topics from de-escalation, diversity training, medical emergency training and active shooter training.
DeGeorge said an event is slated for Monday, which will consist of a call for action, benefit and partnership with the Andrew Joseph Foundation.
Tampa City Council is expected to review the proposal during its Dec. 21 meeting.