The issue of liquor sales near churches seems irrelevant when it comes to the actual problems the neighborhood has had with some drink sales. Most of the actual problems are rowdy people coming out of bars, car crimes related to patrons' cars parked along dark streets late at night, and DWI.

So why not try to push for a conditional use tied to granting any alcoholic drink sales, one that requires the business operator to provide neighborhood security until an hour after the business closes? That "security" could be hiring or paying-for actual police officers to continuously patrol the area within a quarter mile radius of the establishment. The rule could allow businesses that are close together, say within the same quarter mile radius, to share the cost for an officer. That would give them some incentive to pool resources.

Right now, liquor selling businesses will claim amazing compliance and security within their walls, but feel no official responsibility for patrons' actions once they leave. That may be a good legal stand, but mighty crumby when it comes to social responsibility and it doesn't recognize the reality of late night drink sales.