LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Nearly a year after Lubbock County\u2019s game room ordinance took effect, county commissioners have approved a series of amendments designed to strengthen oversight and address ongoing criminal activity concerns.<\/p>\n
The most immediate change restricts all game room operations to weekdays only, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you visit a game room, if you work at a game room, you own a game room, you\u2019ll only be able to operate Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5pm,\u201d said Commissioner Mike Dalby, Precinct 1.<\/p>\n
Any game room operating outside the approved hours will face automatic permit revocation. County leaders say the tighter schedule is a direct response to criminal activity they believe the establishments enable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s prostitution, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, that happens in these game rooms. That\u2019s not something we want in West Texas it\u2019s not what I want that not what our citizens want and if I can do something to make it more restrictive I will,\u201d Dalby said.<\/p>\n
Commissioners also approved a measure prohibiting game room permits from being transferred or divided between owners. Anyone taking over a game room must now apply for a new permit in person.<\/p>\n
The change follows reports of out-of-state applicants attempting to obtain permits to operate locally without going through proper channels.<\/p>\n
The county is creating a game room hearing board composed of residents and county officials to handle permit disputes and provide an additional layer of accountability.<\/p>\n
Physical requirements were also updated. Game rooms must keep doors and gates open during operating hours and locked when closed.<\/p>\n
County Judge Curtis Parrish voiced support for the amendments while making his position on the establishments clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was supportive of this change. Although I\u2019m not supportive of game rooms. I don\u2019t like them I would like to see everyone of them shutdown,\u201d Parrish said.<\/p>\n
Parrish added that legitimate operators should have nothing to fear from the new rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear if your operating legitimately there should not be any problems but what we\u2019re trying to do is put a handle on those that seem to want to squirm around the law and we need to put a handle on that,\u201d Parrish said.<\/p>\n
Commissioners say they will continue monitoring the ordinance\u2019s impact on crime and compliance in the months ahead.<\/p>\n
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