(a) The Chief of Police, or his/her designee, may order, in his/her discretion, a licensed premises where intoxicating liquor is sold at retail or dispensed, to be closed without hearing, for a period of up to 24 hours:
(1) If the premises constitutes a crime scene and such closing could prevent the loss or destruction of evidence and facilitate the police investigation; or
(2) If the premises was the scene of a violent disturbance involving injury or threat to citizens or the use of firearms.
(3) Such closing, and the reasons therefore, will be documented by the Chief of Police and a report submitted to the Mayor, and, if necessary, to the Board of Liquor Control.
(b) If such licensee or permitee shall also be engaged in the conduct of another business or businesses on the licensed premises, such order shall not be applicable to such other business or businesses.
(c) It is understood that this temporary closing power shall only be ordered in good faith in an emergency for the protection of the public, but at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
(d) For example, and not as limitation, the term "emergency" means an occurrence upon a licensed premises or the licensee's parking area that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public, which includes the patrons or employees of the establishment and public officials, and that demands immediate closure of the licensed establishment in order to properly respond to the emergency, and/or to preserve and protect a crime scene.
(Ord. 5-16. Passed 5-9-16.)