It’s last call for drinking alcohol at the West New Castle Street Plaza.

City council decided at its meeting Tuesday night to actively enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages at the plaza following a complaint from Police Chief Ron Brown.

Brown told council that some spectators at the plaza have been bringing their own alcoholic drinks or purchasing them from surrounding establishments, specifically the Brick House restaurant, and drinking outside on the block during the weekly Friday night concerts hosted by Butler Downtown, the city’s Main Street Program.

“There should be no alcohol over there,” Brown said. “It’s a safety concern.”

The city has had an ordinance that bans alcoholic drinks from any public property without written permission from the city for years, but it has not been actively enforcing it at Butler Downtown’s weekly concerts.

The Main Street Program is not officially part of city government, although it does receive $10,000 from the city each year.

Brown presented the city with two years’ worth of police citations resulting from incidents around the plaza. He said some of the incidents, mostly disorderly conduct cases, were likely related to the plaza’s events.

Bob Dandoy, president of Butler Downtown, said the nonprofit has not promoted drinking at its concerts, but said he didn’t think drinking was a problem.

Dandoy said the majority of spectators have one or two drinks while watching the concerts. He attributed any potential problem to persons bringing their own drinks to the plaza, or showing up already drunk.

“Some people are hammered when they show up,” Dandoy said. “That’s the problem.”

Dandoy said he was in favor of limiting alcohol to be purchased at the Brick House, since it could be monitored by the establishment.

Larry Goettler, owner of the Brick House, said alcohol provides some of the atmosphere at the plaza.

“Adults appreciate the fact they can watch a concert with the sunset behind the stage while sipping on wine or a beer,” he said.

Goettler said his staff monitors the amount of alcohol served to any customer, and offers free coffee and soda to patrons who have hit their limit. The restaurant has also been offering its seven bathrooms to plaza spectators.

But council didn’t like the risks involved with having alcohol on a public street.

“When you have alcohol — that can lead to intoxicated people getting in fights,” Councilman Bill May said. “Then you can have a knifing or a shooting.”

Council said it understood that Goettler’s staff was capable of monitoring its customers, but agreed that it was still not practical to allow drinking on a public street.

Mayor Tom Donaldson said the city will begin enforcing its alcohol ban at the plaza this Friday.

When asked by council if tough enforcement would hurt attendance at the plaza, Dandoy responded “I don’t know.”

Dandoy said he disagreed with council, but understood its rationale.

“It’s unfortunate the behavior of a small few ruined that enjoyment for more people,” he said.

Police will be at the concert this Friday letting spectators know alcohol is not permitted on the street. After initial warnings, violators will begin to receive citations.

The city ordinance calls for fines of at least $200 for persons who violate the ordinance.

Donaldson said the city would cover the $500 in overtime costs the department will be entitled to for covering the event.

The Brick House will continue to serve drinks inside its establishment during the concerts.

Brown’s complaints were not the first made by the city’s public safety officials.

Fire Chief Nick Ban has told the city in the past that the plaza’s location is a safety hazard.

“It’s a great idea, but it’s a terrible location,” Ban reiterated Tuesday.

Ban said the summer park restricted routes for emergency vehicles and attracts too many people to the block.

Ban said a better idea would be to convert the vacant Penn Theater into an outdoor venue, while keeping the facade and entrance way.

The plaza wasn’t the only concern Brown had about city property.

The city also will cancel its contract with the Butler County Bears semi-pro football team following complaints from Brown about the club’s activity in Memorial Park, where it plays its home games.

“There are profanities everywhere,” Brown said of the games. “It’s nothing but fights. They’re fighting with the other team and with each other.”

The semi-pro team has played three games at the park this year, with one remaining on its contract. That number would increase if the club makes the playoffs.

Capt. Ron Fierst called the players’ behavior toward police at the last game “aggressive.”

“It was not very proper,” he said.

Fierst said some of the players fought throughout the game and then carried the conflict after the final whistle was blown.

“There’s no professionalism,” Brown said.

Donaldson and May, who is head of the city parks and recreation department, both called to cancel the agreement with the club.

“It’s supposed to be a family atmosphere,” May said.

The rest of council agreed in a unanimous vote.