(WJET) — The City of Erie is looking to crack down on people drinking alcohol and carrying open containers of it on city property.
Erie City Council had a five-to-one vote approving a first read of an ordinance this past Wednesday that would shake up how alcohol consumption would legally be handled on city grounds.
Enjoying a cold, alcoholic drink while walking the dog or taking a stroll downtown could become a thing of the past in the City of Erie.
Erie City Council is taking a look at prohibiting drinking in public spaces on city property and carrying open alcoholic beverage containers.
“I do think we’re seeing more problems from people drinking and doing things like getting into accidents, causing trouble, getting into fights and such. It does seem to be increasing, so this hopefully will decrease that because if they’re just drinking in public, they’ll get arrested if this goes through,” said Mayor Joe Schember.
The City of Erie has never had any specific language regarding having an alcoholic drink in parks, on the sidewalk, or if you’re seated anywhere in the city.