News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Local & Bistate

July 19, 2012

City Council to consider dance ordinance

Permits, insurance, security among conditions for for-profit events

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute City Council tonight could vote on an ordinance requiring permits for anyone conducting a for-profit dance event in the city.

Among other things, the permits, which would be issued by the Board of Public Works and Safety, would require those hosting the dances to provide security at their events, have $1 million in insurance coverage and would require dances to end by 2 a.m.

The ordinance is in response to shootings and fights associated with dances at “The Event [Center] and other venues,” Councilman Norm Loudermilk, who brought the ordinance to the council, said last week.

Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse, speaking Wednesday, said there have been at least three instances involving shots fired at or near The Event Center since October of last year. In at least one case, shots were fired in the direction of police, he said.

The Event Center is on east Wabash Avenue near Fruitridge Avenue. Plasse said he has met in the past with James Porter, the organizer of the dances, to try and find ways to solve the problems.

Porter, reached Wednesday, said he plans to attend tonight’s City Council meeting, but did not wish to comment further.

The City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. in City Hall.

Bob Flott, who organized the music for a dance earlier this year, said it is his understanding The Event Center has not operated or hosted a dance in several weeks.

“In [Porter’s] defense, I do believe he did everything humanly possible to make things safe,” Flott said. Many of the problems have been caused by people attending the “hip hop dances” from out of town, he said.

The dances would attract large crowds of more than 1,000 people, Flott said.

“There is a definite demand” for such dances, Flott said, adding Porter “was a victim of his own success.”

The ordinance does not apply to dances conducted by fraternal, educational, government, charitable or religious organizations or “bona fide” clubs as long as the dance is not open to the general public and admission is limited to members and invited guests.

Nor would the ordinance apply to private dance events, such as wedding receptions. It would also exempt night clubs, show clubs, theaters and dance schools.

The full text of the ordinance is available online in the City Council section of the city’s website at www.terrehaute.in.gov.

Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.

 

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