In the midst of a recession that is likely hitting cities like Newark far harder than other parts of the state, the Newark City Council took it upon itself to impose greater restrictions on small businesses in their city that will surely have a negative economic impact on the local economy and the well being of its citizens.
Yesterday, the Council pasted an ordinance that will require all eateries that are open past 9:00PM to hire security guards. The guards will need to remain on duty from 9:00PM until the store closes. This move is nothing more than a reactionary stunt. About a month ago a Newark police officer was shot and killed while waiting for a slice of pizza at a late night pizzeria. While those events are truly tragic, a move like this is not going to solve the problem. If anything, it will make matters worse!
Ras Baraka, the Councilman who sponsored the new law, claims that these businesses do little for the community and instead only encourage crime. It should not be a surprise to anyone that there are quite a few late night establishments in Newark, just like any other city. And while I have never seen a study that would suggest that these shops encourage crime, any idiot can see what they definitely do provide: JOBS!
These businesses stay open late to serve a market that clearly exists. If no one was out buying food after 9:00PM in Newark, these places could not afford to be open that late. As a result of doing business, they have to hire employees to work these shifts. Those employees get paid and support their families, or at the very least spend that money in the local economy, rather than resorting to crime out of desperation.
Now, these shops have a choice, they can hire security, which I am sure will not be cheap, or they can shut down at night. Hiring security can have a few implications. For example, it could mean that they need to fire another employee, killing that persons job and livelihood. Or they can raise their prices, making it more difficult for them to compete in what Baraka seems to think is a crowded marketplace, and also leaving their customers with less disposable income after partaking in a late night meal. Or, they could shut down at night, thus requiring them to fire the night shift workers, and possibly even lose so much business that the shop eventually closes.
None of these scenarios are positive. Less jobs in Newark is ultimately going to equate to more crime down the road, and a lower standard of living in an already struggling city. This is a short sighted attempt to make it appear as though the Newark Council is doing something about crime, but really does nothing but hurt small business and cause increase poverty. Nice work Councilman Baraka…
