Tempe mayor wants more self-policing after issues at popular Mill Avenue bar
May 14, 2020, 4:15 AM | Updated: 10:15 am
(Facebook Photo/Justin Stewart)
(Facebook Photo/Justin Stewart)
PHOENIX — The mayor of Tempe wants more self-policing after social media posts showed a popular Mill Avenue bar appearing to not adhere to physical distancing guidelines following the reopening of dining rooms on Monday.
Mark Mitchell on Tuesday issued an emergency proclamation requiring Tempe businesses that file security plans with the city to document how they are ensuring physical distancing.
Posts from Monday showed long lines and a packed outdoor space at CASA Tempe, located on the corner of Mill Avenue and Sixth Street.
Mitchell said Tempe police visited the establishment twice that night regarding complaints about a lack of physical distancing.
“What happened at CASA was a good lesson learned,” Mitchell told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad on Wednesday. “That’s not how we imagined it reopening, but given the quarantine and ASU having the graduation, there needs to be some self-policing going on.”
In the proclamation, Mitchell said the city would likely issue a citation to CASA if there were more complaints.
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Gov. Doug Ducey said in late April that any establishment that didn’t adhere to physical distancing rules was “playing with your liquor license.”
Mitchell, who will be replaced as mayor by Corey Woods on July 2, doesn’t expect more issues to arise if self-policing works.
“We’re going to try and enforce them as much as we can for the safety of our residents, the employees and the employers,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said the goal of the emergency proclamation isn’t to scare businesses but rather to make sure they’re following the rules.
“It’s not going to be business as normal, so I think it’s important to keep educating the public,” Mitchell said. “We need to continue working together.”
