Erie could soon join the vast majority of bigger cities across the country in enacting a law banning open containers of alcohol in public.
Right now, the city has no open container law, but council has already taken a first vote to amend an existing ordinance, making drinking alcohol in public against the law.
If approved, there will be exceptions, including events and functions permitted by the city. Violations of the ordinance are a summary offense, carrying a fine of up to $300.
Some downtown business owners said they think Erie’s lack of an open container law is a tourism draw.
Council members said there could be exceptions for certain events and locations.