Montgomery safety issues worry entertainment district business operator

Yahoo

17-07-2025

An entertainment district can be fun, energetic and even electric.
But an anxious mood is always bad for business.
"When people feel safe and cared for, they stay longer, they spend more, they come back more often," said Nicholas Wyatt, an area director for Vintage Hospitality Group in Montgomery. "That's something downtown has to be able to cultivate."
From his venues at Downtown's Ravello, City Fed, and rooftop site Bar Attico, and the Riverfront district's Red Bluff Bar at the Silos, Wyatt has seen worried messages about downtown Montgomery violence pop up on customer phones.
"I've had some guests over the past few weeks who when things have gone up on social media locally express feelings of, 'Hey, we've got to get out of here before it gets too late,'" Wyatt said.
An example that caught the world's attention in 2023 happened at the Riverfront Entertainment District, where an infamous a dock brawl took place. But there have been plenty of recent incidents downtown.
"We've had fights and shootings downtown almost every weekend in recent weeks," Wyatt said. "The mayor and police chief have acknowledged that and said they're working on it. From where I stand, it hasn't stopped yet, and makes the moment feel a little bit delicate."
More: Montgomery entertainment districts: How they work and why they could change
Later this fall, plans are in the works to reexamine and possibly expand the city's entertainment districts. Though Wyatt isn't against growing their footprint, he would like to see the existing areas stabilized first.
"To me, it doesn't make sense to grow the district when we haven't gotten a firm handle on safety in the areas that we already have," Wyatt said.
One step toward that is the recent installation of surveillance cameras in the Downtown Entertainment District. The feeds from those cameras will be constantly monitored by the Montgomery Police Department's Strategic Technology and Resource (STAR) Center.
More: Montgomery entertainment districts: 15-year timeline
"We're committed to creating a safer, more welcoming downtown for citizens and visitors to enjoy!" MPD wrote on a social media post about the new cameras.
Another is a curfew in downtown for ages 17 and under. On July 15, the Montgomery City Council enacted one from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
"We're using all our angles to make sure that we are growing in a sufficient manner and an effective manner," said Frank Robinson, Montgomery's director of economic and community development. "We're making sure that public safety is there, and in addition to public safety, making sure that everybody has a good time and feels safe while they're doing it."
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at [e-mail]. To support his work please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Entertainment district safety concerns worry business operator
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