Franklin county bans drinking and loitering at the Eastpoint pavilion

The Franklin county commission on Tuesday approved a new county ordinance banning drinking alcohol and loitering at the Eastpoint pavilion.

The action was taken to address a specific problem in Eastpoint, but commissioners are now thinking of expanding the rule to other county owned parks.

Drinking alcohol is already banned at county owned boat ramps.

Commissioner Pinki Jackel said the problems at the Eastpoint pavilion had to be addressed so the sheriff’s department would have the tools it needs to keep people from sitting at the pavilion and drinking alcohol making the location less pleasant for families who might want to use it for picnics and other activities.

The pavilion will also be the location of a few events through the holiday season.

The ordinance does not ban the possession of alcohol at the site, just drinking it.

That distinction was made so that people can legally bring their alcohol from their vehicles to their boats.

Under the new ordinance, the punishment for a first offense is an 80 dollar fine, a second offense is 150 dollars, and a third offenses is a 2^nd degree misdemeanor which could include 60 days in jail or a 500 dollars fine.

The new rule was approved 4 to 1 with Commissioner Noah Lockley voting against it.

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