EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - The mayor of East St. Louis says the city is limiting alcohol sales after several incidents of weekend violence. Mayor Alvin L. Parks Jr. released a statement Sunday saying the city would suspend all non-casino sales of liquor after 1 a.m. until further notice. He says he's doing so to "re-stabilize the community's health and safety."
The move followed a series of shootings outside East St. Louis clubs, including the Sunday death of a 23-year-old man who police say was shot as he walked to his car. East St. Louis has instituted similar alcohol restrictions before.
The city of 27,000 has been grappling with a high murder rate and the city's night clubs have particularly been under scrutiny. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he wants the businesses to close earlier.
