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Baptist leaders: Restrict video poker |
The
faith-based community is getting involved in asking Cleveland County
Commissioners to approve proposed video poker regulations designed to make it
more difficult for owners to operate the machines in the county.
The Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association sent a letter to commissioners
asking them to vote at its Tuesday meeting in favor of the regulations.
“We are concerned about this as an issue in zoning in Cleveland County, and we
are concerned about the effects of video poker and other such gaming,” said the
Rev. Charles Reed of the association.
The video poker issue came up at a minister’s conference two months ago, Reed
said. The group has had conversations with law enforcement officials who share
the issues they face with video poker machines.
“We’re also concerned about the costs to enforce the video poker gaming industry
and then for those who are not going according to the laws, for the effects this
can have in these neighborhoods for the safety of the citizens,” Reed said.
“We are concerned about the safety for his personnel having to deal with these
situations and when there are fights that break out or crime that comes from
that.”
Video poker owners must register their machines with the Sheriff’s Office.
Operators are allowed to award $10 in merchandise to winners, but not cash. But
sheriff’s officials say many operators are awarding cash instead. As a result,
businesses that house the machines are more likely to be robbed because of the
large amounts of cash on hand.
Sheriff’s officials approached the Cleveland County Planning Board in the fall
of 2003, asking it to develop standards for video poker machines in the county.
The board advises county commissioners on planning and zoning issues but does
not authorize them. Board members suggested owners be required to have a
conditional use permit, which would stipulate the machines be 1,000 feet from a
school or church property and visible from the exterior of the building facing a
public road and would meet all local, state and federal laws.
Sgt. Durwin Briscoe, a sheriff’s vice and narcotics officer, said several
ministers in the community have voiced concerns. The Rev. Jim Brackett, the
sheriff’s chaplain, has spoken to friends in the community and churches about
video poker, Briscoe said.
Reed said ministers within the association have been alerted about the meeting,
but there is no “organized effort” to speak at the Tuesday night session.
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