FYI - When you are donating to this petition, its sending to the platform only, not the petition itself!!! You're welcome to donate, but just know it is only supporting the website, and not anything local.

🚨 Exciting Update on New Bern’s Social District Petition! 🚨

New Bern, it’s time to take action! Our push for a thriving, walkable, and vibrant downtown is stronger than ever, and the facts prove this is the right move for our city.

💡 Since the original petition was launched, social districts have exploded in North Carolina! We started with 19 cities, and now we’re at 70+ municipalities that have implemented and expanded their social districts due to overwhelming success. Not one city has reversed course.

📈 The Impact Is Clear:
✅ Increased foot traffic → More people staying longer = more spending at ALL businesses (not just bars).
✅ No increase in crime, public drunkenness, or safety issues → Police data from multiple cities confirm this.
✅ Stronger local economy → Downtown businesses report higher revenues, more customers, and better community engagement.

🔹 Addressing Past Concerns:
🚮 Trash? ✅ New Bern has added more trash cans throughout downtown.
👮 Safety? ✅ Increased police presence has already been implemented at night.
🛍️ Business impact? ✅ Data proves that retailers benefit too, as customers spend more time shopping.

🚀 We can’t let New Bern fall behind! Other cities are growing their districts and reaping the benefits—it’s time for us to do the same. If we don’t act, tourists and businesses will go where these amenities already exist.

💥 We NEED your support! If you’ve already signed, thank you! Now, let’s double down—share this petition, tag friends, and spread the word!

🖊 SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
📌 https://www.change.org/p/make-a-social-district-in-new-bern

New Bern’s future is in OUR hands—let’s make it happen! #NewBernSocialDistrict #SupportLocal #SipAndStroll #MakeItHappen

On 9/8/2021, Governor Cooper signed House Bill 890, which included a provision allowing local governments to establish “Social Districts” - A designated, walkable area which allows adults to enjoy a “to-go” alcoholic beverage in a specifically marked, open container from a licensed ABC permittee (i.e. restaurant or bar), creating a vibrant business scene that brings people back to downtowns that are still recovering from the Pandemic. Each municipality must approve and execute their own single or multiple “Social Districts”. This is where we need your help in signing this petition for New Bern’s “Social District”.

Since the signing of the bill, at least 19 cities in North Carolina have passed their local “Social District”.

Data from numerous studies of “Social Districts” from around the country (Ohio since 2015) and other NC towns has shown that these “Social Districts” have indeed had an economic lift for all businesses, not just ones that serve and sell the “to-go” drink. People also spent more time shopping in these districts, as many businesses allowed the drink to be brought in the stores while shopping.

*Note, a business DOES NOT have to allow the “Social District” drink in their store. They can opt-out, just like they would opt out of having any regular food or drinks being brought into their store.

While, “Social Districts” are a great amenity for the citizens, tourists, and the small businesses in the district, we need your help to have a social district passed and put into place here in New Bern, North Carolina.

Earlier in 2022, citizens of New Bern brought up a couple of obstacles in the way of successfully implementing a “Social District”: 1.) Excess/Increase in trash, and 2.) Unsightly night time behaviors.

As of today, those issues have been fully addressed by adding several new trash cans throughout the downtown area, and increasing police presence at night.

NOW is the perfect time to move forward with a “Social District” for New Bern.

Consequently, if we do not pass a social district we may see a few adverse affects on our local economy. A social district is an economic advantage that other cities and towns currently have or are about to implement. New Bern is a sought after destination for both tourism and people looking to relocate. It's likely, without a social district, tourists and potential residents will look to other nearby towns to enjoy an afternoon or evening of 'sip and stroll' amenities.

We need YOUR voice of support in bringing a “Social District” to New Bern, NC. Whether you live in New Bern, or enjoy visiting New Bern, your voice needs to be heard.

FAQ's:

WHAT IS A SOCIAL DISTRICT?
A social district is a specific area in which alcoholic beverages are allowed to be carried in open containers on the street. The League of Municipalities recently provided a guidance document on on the Updated House Bill 211 (SL2022-49) Social Distirict Law which you can read here.
HOW IS A SOCIAL DISTRICT CREATED?
The way the law is written, the following must be addressed to create a social district:

1. A geographic zone must be established and a map of that zone must be filed with the ABC.
2. Special cups must be used that say “Must be 21-please drink responsibly”. Additionally, the cup must identify the social district and the name of the business in which it was sold.
3. The zone must be clearly marked and delineated with visible markings and/or signs.
4. Sanitation, safety and public health must be considered and adequately addressed.
5. The district map, hours of operation, and days of operation are currently under discussion between the task force and city staff. The resulting agreement will go to the Board of Aldermen for a vote.
6. Businesses that do not serve alcohol may choose to opt out of allowing beverages in their store.

IS YOUR DOWNTOWN A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A SOCIAL DISTRICT? IF THE ANSWERS ARE YES, YOUR DOWNTOWN MAY BE READY FOR A SOCIAL DISTRICT.

1. Is there a walkable "social" area?
   2. Are there multiple social venues?  (e.g. restaurants, pubs, breweries, cafes, galleries, theatre, experience shopping, etc.)
   3. Is there a significant number of special events?
   4. Do a significant number of visitors and tourists come to Downtown?
   5. Is there a 'beer and wine' culture in Downtown?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A SOCIAL DISTRICT?
1. Increased tourism.
2. A Social District offers a broad social and cultural experience for residents and visitors.
3. Opportunity for increased tourism as a ‘Destination Downtown.’
4. Opportunity for businesses and non-profits to hold events, such as Art Walk, festivals, crawls and many others.
5. Opportunity for increased dollars spent in stores and eateries as people stay longer to shop, dine and enjoy New Bern.
6. Opportunity for existing AND new bars, non-bars and restaurants to increase revenue streams by serving “to-go” drinks.
7. Opportunity to encourage business growth with new businesses seeking to participate in this economic opportunity.
8. Anecdotally, people drink more responsibly if they are mobile rather than stationary.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONCERNS?
1. Drinking-related issues, such as underage consumption, public drunkenness, drunk driving, and general irresponsible behavior.
2. People illegally bringing or consuming alcohol that has not been purchased in the social district.
3. Litter or waste increase.
4. Conflicting events within the Social District boundaries.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CITIES WITH IMPLEMENTED SOCIAL DISTRICTS?
1. There are currently social districts in many states, including: Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Missouri, Nevada, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan and North Carolina.
2. Most cities have reported minimal to no increase in crime, 911 calls, destruction of property, or hospitalizations.
3. Almost every district reports drastic increases in both tax and merchant revenue.
4. Most social districts conducted trial periods, then continued to grow their districts and increase days/hours of operation, because social districts have proven to be successful and without measurable increased legal incidents.