Indiana Town May Require Proof of Insurance for Special-Event Dances

Terre Haute, Ind., officials are considering new regulations on dances organized by event promoters, saying they are worried about violent incidents that have happened at some of them.

A proposed city ordinance would require organizers to obtain city permits, have security guards on site and provide proof of liability insurance, the Tribune-Star reported.

Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse said the proposal isn’t aimed at outlawing dances like in the 1980s movie “Footloose.”

“This is merely an effort to regulate dances that we’ve had issues with,” Plasse said. “Shootings. Fights. And it’s our effort to stop something before someone gets killed.”

In April, city police investigated a report of gunfire near an events hall where dances have been held.

The proposed ordinance wouldn’t cover private events such as wedding receptions or dances at established nightclubs.

It would cover dances at venues being rented or leased on a short-term basis, requiring two security guards at the dance entrance and one guard for every 50 attendees.

The ordinance is a response “to some activity that has slipped through some loopholes,” Councilman Norm Loudermilk said. “It’s just really gotten out of hand.”