The Prince George’s County Council unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to tighten restrictions on teen and adult dance halls throughout the county.

The measure, which was introduced by Councilwoman Karen Toles (D-Dist. 7) of Suitland, increases dance hall license fees from $200 to $1,000, requires dance halls to submit evacuation and safety plans prior to receiving a permit and explicitly prohibits establishments from allowing dancing between 2 and 11 a.m.

The bill also allows police to conduct background checks on individuals wishing to obtain or renew dance hall licenses and gives police and firefighters authority to suspend or revoke the licenses of establishments that commit safety or noise violations.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Mark Magaw welcomed the bill.

“This gives us valuable tools to help protect citizens and property,” Magaw said. “We’re certainly not anti-business but we’ve had too much violence associated with these establishments.”

In March, a man was shot and killed outside Edmonston’s Surf Club Live, and there were two homicides, in 2005 and 2006, outside former go-go nightclub J’s Sports Cafe in Laurel.

Prince George’s County police Maj. George Nader said so far this year there have been six homicides directly related to night clubs. Nader said that number was seven in 2009, 12 in 2008, 15 in 2007, 12 in 2006 and 10 in 2005.

“When I say directly I mean there’s no two miles away. These are individuals coming to or leaving the club,” Nader said.

Nader said giving police authority to shut down establishments who violate agreements will send the message to owners that violence will not be tolerated.

But Doc Hayes, who has owned Club Elite in Temple Hills since 1997, said the increased fees and regulations unfairly lump peaceful establishments, such as his, with problem spots.

“My point is the broad stroke is too wide,” Hayes said. “We have to draw back to make sure we don’t include establishments that are operating legitimately.”

Hayes also said the council should have consulted with more club owners before drafting the final bill.

“I believe everyone wants the results that this bill seeks to achieve,” Hayes said. “[But] this bill needs tweaking.”

Still, Nader said a lot of club establishments bring “disorder, chaos and violence.”

“It has to be addressed,” Nader said. “There’s no way around it.”

cokparanta@gazette.net