Newark City Council’s ordinance requiring armed security guards at small late-night restaurants has been shut down by the city’s mayor.

Saying it was too broad and could cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in lawsuits, Mayor Cory Booker says he vetoed the ordinance for a variety of reasons. However, the research shows it would be a burden for the city and small business owners.

“Director DeMaio pulled the research to see really how much of those establishments responsible for crime in general and violent crime in general. It’s less than two percent of all of our incidents.”  

The ordinance, sponsored by South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka, was passed earlier this month by the City Council that would have required restaurants that serve fewer than 20 people to have an armed security guard from 9 p.m. until closing. It was introduced shortly after Newark Police Officer William Johnson was fatally shot while waiting to by a slice at the Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza.

South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka was not immediately available for comment.