A shortage of Tuscaloosa police officers prompted the city council Tuesday night to impose a moratorium on new bars and gastropubs until the end of the year.

The official resolution, approved on a 5-2 vote, “(suspends) the approval of conditional use applications for bar/taverns and gastropubs.”

A “gastropub” is a pub with a restaurant included in it.

The moratorium could be expanded. Councilor Lee Busby said before the vote, “It gives us a chance to take an operational pause, reassess what we’re capable of policing and providing safety.” Busby represents district 4, which includes Paul Bryant Drive near Bryant-Denny Stadium and University Boulevard, also known as “The Strip.” He said the largest concentration of bars is in his district.

Right now, the Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD) has 256 officers on staff with a goal of 289. A recent group of 39 applicants yielded just nine to appear for the physical test. Three of those recruits passed and are awaiting the written test results.

Assistant chief Steve Rice said the work hours can be “taxing.” He said one of the problems is when restaurants expand their occupancy at night and operate more like bars. Officers typically work 10-hour shifts plus have mandatory overtime shifts.

“Officers are being asked to work a lot of hours,” said Mayor Walt Maddox at the June 13 special public safety meeting, which discussed the proposed moratorium. “Any time you’re fatigued, your decision-making is not as strong. ” He said it’s not in the public’s best interest to have officers working long shifts.

Rice noticed a downward trend in applicants in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests against police violence. He said they’d implemented new software to communicate with applicants to increase turnout but doesn’t know how to ensure qualified applicants appear.

He added one of the goals is to hire certified law enforcement officers to cut down on the training time needed. One potential incentive would be to change from private pension to the state retirement system so retirement plans can move with officers who change jobs.

“I think that’s the next big hurdle on our horizon that we’re trying to get,” Rice said.

TPD is also competing with the University of Alabama’s police department (UAPD), which announced Tuesday they’re recruiting officers with a starting salary of $65,200, compared to $51,000 at TPD. Tuscaloosa offers a sign-on bonus of $5,000, while UAPD provides $7,500. TPD has also authorized a take-home car program for officers.

According to Busby, one bar that had already invested a lot of money to open in Tuscaloosa before the proposed moratorium will be allowed to open. The franchise Cru Lounge will open later this year with a capacity of 68. The bar was approved due to its small size and a “convincing presentation,” by the establishment’s attorney, Busby said.

Another measure being considered by the Tuscaloosa City Council this summer is shortening bar hours. Busby and Rice said they don’t want to infringe on Tuscaloosa’s nightlife but must take steps to ensure public safety.

“You know, your grandma’s old adage that nothing good happens after midnight. I don’t think we’re that draconian,” Busby said. “But certainly, there is growing skepticism throughout the city.”