Officer Body Cam: Downtown Alton Over the Past Year – What Happens After 1 A.M.
ALTON — A resolution to eliminate late-night liquor licenses in Alton has moved forward to the City Council for consideration following a contentious Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
The proposal, which would end liquor sales past 1 a.m. in downtown Alton, was met with mixed reactions from community members who voiced both opposition and support. The late-night bar resolution passed the committee with a 5-2 vote and is scheduled for City Council approval on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford highlighted the department’s efforts to address safety concerns in downtown during the early morning hours.
“The series of videos shared on the Alton Police Department's Facebook page is intended to promote transparency and provide insight into the challenges our officers faced in downtown Alton during the 1-3 a.m. time frame,” Ford said. He added that since the 1 a.m. closing, “the downtown environment has improved significantly” and praised officers for their dedication to enforcing laws against open drinking, loitering and violence.
Michelle Oerter, a bartender at Danny’s Lounge, and others spoke against the measure, emphasizing the economic impact of losing late-night hours.
“These late-night liquor hours are not just about staying open; they represent a significant part of our income and the city’s revenue,” Oerter said. “Those few hours make the difference between getting by and falling behind. In this economy, that lost income would be devastating.”
If the City Council approves the resolution, it will return as an ordinance for further readings and a final vote at a subsequent meeting.
A full recording of the Nov. 10 Committee of the Whole meeting is available on Riverbender.com. Click here for more about the resolution to eliminate late night liquor licenses.
Stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest coverage on this and other agenda items.
