A proposed cooperation between police officers and firefighters might reduce fire safety hazards of crowded clubs in Gainesville.
The city's Public Safety Committee suggested Tuesday that Gainesville Police officers be trained and authorized to work with Gainesville Fire Rescue to control overcrowding in bars and clubs.
At the moment, fire rescue has the sole authority to control overcrowding in clubs, but inspectors don't patrol every night.
Enlisting the help of GPD officers, who are always present in the area, could increase control, said Paul Folkers, an assistant city manager.
City Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa, chairwoman of the committee, said she observed overcrowding problems firsthand during a recent trip downtown with Commissioner Thomas Hawkins.
"It did not take anybody who had training to know it was overcrowded," Mastrodicasa said. "When I say 'overcrowded,' I'm really being polite."
Fire rescue Deputy Chief Tim Hayes said more enforcement would help significantly control the problem.
"It'll help to give us a little more teeth in the downtown area," Hayes said.
GPD Capt. Lonnie Scott said overcrowding is an obvious risk to public safety but that he was concerned about the number of officers available to patrol the areas.
"I don't know if we will actually have the staff to monitor every bar," Scott said.
Commissioner Lauren Poe said he thought it would be an option to add staff if an ordinance were passed.
"I see very little downside to this," Poe said.
