By
The Associated Press
PROVO, Utah - Partying just got more difficult in Provo, Utah. Not that it was easy before.
Home to Brigham Young University and 30,000 Mormon students, Provo only has one dance club, which already is smoke- and alcohol-free. Next month a new ordinance will require Club Omni to install surveillance cameras, metal detectors and security guards.
If Club Omni or organizers of dance parties open to the public - even those held in student's homes - don't comply with the law, they could be slapped with a fine of as much as $1,000 and spend up to six months in jail.
If this calls to mind the hit 1980s movie "Footloose," in which students rebelled against a ban on dancing, think again. Many BYU students say they support the ordinance. The new rules may have a positive influence on some student's morals, many said.
"I think surveillance cameras are OK because they will pick up drinking, smoking and drugs and spot out the person who is doing it," said Charity Harrison, a senior attending Monday night social dancing at BYU.
Several students at the university, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, cited the honor pledge that all student must sign. It forbids drinking alcohol, smoking and premarital sex.
Harrison said metal detectors seemed a little excessive. "When I see those I think airport, police, scary," she said, wrinkling her nose. "I don't think people who come to BYU come with bombs or guns."
Other students held the opposite position, saying metal detectors are important to spot weapons, while cameras might be intrusive. No one seemed too concerned that the ordinance would cramp their style or that parties wouldn't be held for fear of legal trouble.
The ordinance's intent is to improve safety after a fatal shooting in 1998 at Club Omni, which sells drinks such as bottled juice and nonalcoholic beer. Since then, the club has had seven police calls for disorderly conduct.
A barroom around the corner that is about a quarter of the size had twice as many calls in the same time, police said.
"I question the premise of this whole thing," said Ken Merena, Club Omni's owner. 'Where do you think there's a greater propensity for problems - here or an alcohol-serving establishment?"
The dance hall security ordinance doesn't apply to bars that serve alcohol because those are "private clubs" under Utah law and not open to the public.
The ordinances allow exceptions for dances put on by churches, schools or government agencies. But a Little League team trying to raise money for uniforms or a nonprofit holding a fund-raiser dance would have to comply.
Caleb Proulx, a BYU sophomore, said he attended a vegetarian barbecue last year that was broken up by police for being too rowdy.
"The police will use this law to justify breaking up anything," he said. "Provo is becoming a police state with heavy-handed, fascist laws."
The seven-member City Council was divided on the issue, with two members voting against it.
Council member Stan Lockhart said he's not convinced the ordinance will accomplish its intent.
"I see them as using a sledge hammer to swat a fly," he said. "We are either telling people 'we don't want public dances,' or 'we're protecting the franchise of the one that's here because he's the only one that can afford it.'"
Councilman Paul Warner, who voted for the ordinance, said he didn't think student-parties would be affected. "BYU students are concerned we are trying to shut down their parties, and we aren't trying to do that. If they want to have a general public dance, then they will make a lot of money and the expense of (security) will be worth their effort."
