Doral tightens security requirements for nightclubs in the wake of fatal shooting

Doral City Council members approved new security measures on Wednesday night to enhance safety at nightlife businesses, including closing bars earlier.

The new regulations come two months after the mass shooting at Martini Bar in CityPlace, which killed two people and injured seven others.

The newly approved city law sets last call at 1:30 a.m. and closing time at 2 a.m., with the ability to request a special permit to stay open later. In a last-minute change, the council shortened hours for venues with an extended hour permit, moving up closing time from 4 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., with a last call at 2:30 a.m, following a request by Councilman Rafael Pineyro.

The original proposal, approved in the first reading on May 8, stated that establishments in CityPlace and Downtown Doral would be barred from obtaining that permit. Now, that provision has been removed, allowing all venues to apply for an extended hour permit.

Councilwoman Maureen Porras, sponsor of the ordinance, told the Herald that the revisions were crafted in response to feedback from fellow council members. “The final ordinance reflects input from all my colleagues, except the mayor,” she stated.

The ordinance passed with four votes in favor, with Mayor Christi Fraga being the sole vote against it.

Fraga told the media that she doesn’t believe the ordinance is strong enough to protect the residents. “The most important thing for me were the safety measures. In the ordinance I proposed, security measures were imposed on all establishments of this type (bars, nightclubs) until they closed at 2 a.m.”

According to the ordinance, venues without an extended hours permit can remain open until 2 a.m. without implementing safety measures that include the installation of cameras and weapons detection systems, an increased security presence and the hiring of off-duty police officers.

If bars and clubs apply for the special permit, they will only be allowed to operate 30 minutes longer than establishments without the permit. Each venue with extended hours will also be required to develop a tailored security plan, approved by the police chief, that includes the new security measures and considers the business’ occupancy and any history of violent incidents.

The difference on security requirements is main reason why Mayor Fraga said she voted against the ordinance.

“I believe it is more important to ensure that someone with a metal detector is checking, regardless of the closing time,” she said.

In response, Porras noted that Fraga could have proposed that change during the council meeting.

Many Doral bars and nightclubs owners have previously said to the Herald they have already implemented such safety precautions.

The changes will go into effect on Sept. 30.

On April 6, around 3:30 a.m., a shooting occurred at Martini Bar, resulting in the death of 23-year-old security guard George Castellanos. Seven others, including an unnamed Doral police officer, were injured.

READ MORE: Security guard killed in Doral bar shooting was an FIU student and future police officer

The injured were identified as Lester Williams Gonzalez, 28; Sonia Muñoz Torres, 48; Gerard Patrick “Joe” Delaney, one of Martini Bar’s owners; siblings Yaniris Jerez, 30, and Miguel Jerez, 34; and Yaniris’ boyfriend, Carlos Milán, 38.

Jamal Wood, 37, the suspected shooter, died at the scene. Since the shooting, several victims have filed negligence lawsuits against Martini Bar and CityPlace.

Is it worth it for the venues?

When the changes were initially proposed, the owners of Martini Bar hinted at suing the city, arguing that Doral couldn’t treat one area differently from another. They said there are still problems with the ordinance.

“I am glad that all venue have the opportunity to apply for extended hours permit, but the unexpected change in the published ordinance moving last call to 2:30 a.m., is the issue,” Louis Terminello, one of the co-owners of Martini Bar, told the Herald. “It would impact us significantly.”

READ MORE: ‘We would not survive this.’ What Doral nightspots say about call for early closures

Terminello said that the entire process to apply for the special permit “only” for an additional 30 minutes of sales “doesn’t make much sense.”

“It’s confusing and perplexing,” said Terminello, who is also an attorney and chair of Greenspoon Marder’s hospitality, alcohol and leisure industry group.

The ordinance does not include grandfathering provisions for establishments that already have extended permits.

Councilman Pineyro clarified that any establishment currently operating with extended hours will need to reapply, with applications due as early as the end of September.

Pineyro said that the earlier closing time is needed to avoid another shooting. “There are studies that prove that the later an establishment is open, the increase in the possibilities of some type of incident occurring, whether inside the establishment or when people are leaving while driving under the influence of alcohol,” Pineyro said.

But for some venues, it may not be worth the effort to apply.

The co-owner of Martini Bar said that there will be lot of energy, cost and expense involved in the extended permit.

“Considering the hefty cost (two off-duty officers from 11 p.m. at $75 hour each officer, an outside security company monitoring the operation, extra security) it is simply not worth it for the 30 minutes of additional sales,” said Terminello. “It may work out better to save all those expenses and just close at 2 a.m.”

What venues may be apply for the special permit

City records show some of the venues that currently operate on an extended hours permit and will be eligible to continue to do so under the new ordinance include:

▪ Champions Bar & Grill, 4400 NW 87th Ave.

▪ Club Pink Pony, 7971 NW 33rd St.

▪ El Maní Restaurant & Salsa Bar, 1200 NW 78th Ave., Suite 116

▪ La Terrazza de Bolivar, 11402 NW 41 St., Suite 100

▪ Trump National Doral Miami, 4400 NW 87th Ave.

Additionally, businesses located in CityPlace will be eligible to continue operations under an extended-hour permit after applying include:

▪ Chico Malo

▪ Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen

▪ Kings Dining & Entertainment

▪ Kuba Cabana

▪ Martini Bar Doral

▪ Miami Improv Comedy Club and Dinner Theater.