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Jax Beach considering banning restaurant alcohol sales past midnight

Jacksonville Beach is considering banning restaurants from selling alcohol after midnight. City leaders said some restaurants may be doubling as bars when night falls. Mayor Charlie Latham told Action News Jax that bending the rules may be compromising the city’s safety.

Latham said some restaurants in the city are living a double nightlife. He sums it up with an acronym.

“'RINO'. It’s not Republican in name only, it’s restaurant in name only,” he said.

Latham told Action News Jax it may be time to put the cork in alcohol sales at restaurants after midnight. 35 Jacksonville Beach restaurants have 4COP SRX specialty licenses allowing them to serve drinks and remain a restaurant. To do so, 51% of their income must come from food sales.

Latham said 11 of these places are open through 2 a.m. but may operate as bars in disguise.

“Who goes and has a meal at 1 o’clock in the morning, not too many people,” said Latham.

Safety concerns ratcheted up this summer following violent incidents in the downtown area. Atlantic Beach rapper Leon Bennett lost his life in a beach shooting in late June.

STORY: Father of two killed after fight in front of Jacksonville Beach restaurant

Action News Jax told you when another man was shot on the beach just before the Fourth of July.

STORY: Mom of man killed at Jacksonville Beach: 'I just want that person to come forward'

“Nothing good happens past midnight,” said Latham.

Action News Jax called several of these places for ourselves. None wanted to go on camera. Julie Boland said she’s heard of restaurants becoming something else at night. Boland grew up there.

“It opens up as a bar to make more money,” she said.

Boland's friend Andrea Stoylen told Action News Jax she doesn't necessarily agree with the measure, but understands the need for action.

"I’ve heard of two separate people (getting) sucker punched randomly at about two in the morning," Stoylen said.

Latham said he and the board will discuss the proposal with the public in the near future. He told Action News Jax the board is weighing its options, and they're committed to finding a high-impact solution. Meanwhile, he said law enforcement will keep a closer eye on the restaurants that walk the line.