Lawsuit Over Late Night Entertainment Curfew Settled

The city of Springfield Massachusetts and several adult entertainment clubs have settled a federal court lawsuit over a late night entertainment curfew.  WAMC’s Paul Tuthill reports

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Under the terms of the settlement four clubs have agreed to close each night at 1AM, shutting off both entertainment and alcohol.  Three other adult clubs can remain open, with entertainment, until 2AM, but have to bar anyone from entertaining the establishments after 1AM.. Additionally, all the adult clubs will have to adopt comprehensive security plans. City solicitor Ed Pikula said the entertainment curfew put in place last April has resulted in a 35 percent decrease in police calls downtown  between midnight and  3AM

The adult night clubs sued, claiming the entertainment curfew violated their free speech rights. A federal judge refused their request for an injunction.