Orangeburg County moving to closing bars earlier

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Orangeburg County is moving to closing bars earlier in an effort to prevent violence at nightspots.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports (http://bit.ly/1Q6Qrel ) that the county council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would require all establishments serving alcohol to close between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

The ordinance says numerous serious crimes occur around bars during those hours, endangering not only patrons but law enforcement officers.

Violators could be fined $500 and face imprisonment. Each day an establishment is open illegally would constitute a separate offense. The ordinance would apply only in unincorporated areas of the county.

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Information from: The Times & Democrat, http://www.timesanddemocrat.com