Cameron Park Zoo in Waco- posted?

[Waco1959]

OK, hate to be the 'bear'er of bad news, but there is no specific area defined on the license so the whole premise is off limits.

Apparently the license went to RED when they renewed the application in 2010 due to the way they reported the alcohol sales revenue. I have requested an officer check the location and advise the zoo they need to correct the numbers for total revenue vs. alcohol sales in an effort to get the license changed to blue. If not, then the zoo will be required to post 51% signs at all of their entrances.

Very interesting since they don't sell any alcohol that I have seen. I do know they have alcohol at some of the after-hours special events, private parties, and fundraisers that are not open to the general public.. I do know that on a day-to-day basis there are no TABC signs or 30.06 posted. For about a year they did have 30.06 posted but then they took them down.

I will have to admit I haven't looked at the party pavilion but I'll check the next time I go. I'm about due for another long walk around the zoo.

[BAW1967]

http://www.texas3006.com/view.php?poste ... tion_type=+

Not listed.....city property....should be good to go.

Actually, you may not be good to go. The Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society holds the liquor license for the location. The TABC site shows it as a RED license. Depending on the area defined by the license for the sale and consumption of alcohol, it could be the whole zoo area. I personally believe this license is probably in error as I really doubt the non-profit takes in more than 51% of their income from the sale of alcohol. Someone needs to challenge this one with TABC and request they investigate the receipts and make a determination of 51% or not. Additionally, when you call the TABC office they can pull the records and tell you what area is defined on the license. Until that is determined the entire zoo should be considered off-limits for carry.

License #: MB747982

Trade Name: CAMERON PARK ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL SOCIETY
Owner: CAMERON PARK ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL SO
Location Address: 1701 N 4TH STREET
WACO , TX 76707

County: McLennan Orig. Issue Date: 5/11/2010
Status: Current Exp. Date: 5/10/2014
Wine Percent:
Location Phone No.: 254 750-8400

Subordinates:
Related To: Gun Sign: RED

That is why I was questioning it. The SpiritTexas app shows a red no gun sign for the zoo. Went there today, but didn't carry inside. Saw no 30.06 signs, no 51% signs or no gun buster signs. This definitely needs to be looked into. Didn't see any signs to order alcohol at the zoo cafe or their concession stand.

[Keith B]

The TABC person I talked to stay got stated they got they didn't wanted the patrons at special events to be able to carry anywhere in the zoo and that is why they didn't designate just the cafe or restaurant. I wasn't sure about the daily selling of alcohol, so I will guess they only do it for their donating patrons or special events.

[Scott in Houston]

It's possible that the "SOCIETY" may be a fund-raising group for the Zoo, and not the zoo itself...

[Waco1959]

Doing a little looking about the zoo, I ran across this page: http://www.faqs.org/tax-exempt/TX/Camer ... ety.html#b

Based on the the number of visitors vs the revenue I have a hard time seeing how 50% of the revenue could be from alcohol sales.

[oohrah]

IIRC, the only time the zoo has alcohol is for special ticket events, like Zoobilee, when the zoo is not open to the general public. If I do not see any sign, 30.06 or 51%, I'm carrying. It's not my responsibility to look them up on TABC. It is their responsibility to post the proper signage.

[srothstein]

Oohrah,

I fully understand your position and, up to a point, support it. But, just to help you make a fair decision of what to do, I have to point out that the law disagrees with you. Note that the law makes it an offense to carry on a place determined by TABC to be a 51% location. It does not make it illegal to carry past the sign or to carry there if there is no sign. Even the recent change to the law makes it only a defense to prosecution that there was no sign.

This means that if you carry at a 51% location, whether it is posted or not or whether you knew it or not, you are breaking the law and could be arrested. If it is not properly posted, you probably will beat the rap, but that is after you go to jail and have a mug shot in public records.

If you are aware of this and make the choice, I fully support you (and would find you not guilty because I think the law is wrong - but don't bet on me being on the jury).

[Keith B]

Received a call from the TABC compliance officer. I advised of the situation that the Zoological Society had apparently filled out the info incorrectly on their renewal. The license is up for renewal in May and he stated they would contact them about the error on the last renewal and work to get them to properly file.

He also suggested that if there was someone who had a contact with the Zoological Society they might also contact them and advise the license is wrong and they need to make sure to get it correct this time.

So, hopefully by end of May the zoo will be back to a BLUE license.

[Scott in Houston]

Received a call from the TABC compliance officer. I advised of the situation that the Zoological Society had apparently filled out the info incorrectly on their renewal. The license is up for renewal in May and he stated they would contact them about the error on the last renewal and work to get them to properly file.

He also suggested that if there was someone who had a contact with the Zoological Society they might also contact them and advise the license is wrong and they need to make sure to get it correct this time.

So, hopefully by end of May the zoo will be back to a BLUE license.

Nice job Keith! Now I'll be less afraid of the of those lions and tigers. Not the bears though... bears will kill you. Sic 'Em.

[oohrah]

Keith, thanks for your proactive efforts on this.

srothstein, appreciate the comments. I am aware of the law on 51%, my point was more generic. If any of us approached a place we have never been, and there was no signage, we have a defense.

[maximus2161]

See this kinda of stuff makes me scratch my head. Only the law abiding person cares to know if a place is posted because....well we obey the law. Im sure the BG isnt gonna go search for a legal answer and then go "Awww poo...I cant carry here!"

I wish businesses and more places understood this. :/

[Jason K]

Received a call from the TABC compliance officer. I advised of the situation that the Zoological Society had apparently filled out the info incorrectly on their renewal. The license is up for renewal in May and he stated they would contact them about the error on the last renewal and work to get them to properly file.

He also suggested that if there was someone who had a contact with the Zoological Society they might also contact them and advise the license is wrong and they need to make sure to get it correct this time.

So, hopefully by end of May the zoo will be back to a BLUE license.

Any new news on this?

[Waco1959]

TABC site still shows Red with license valid until May 2016.

[MeMelYup]

Took my grandson there yesterday. He is autistic and that is one of his favorite places. Didn't see a sign one about firearms. Should have seen the cats start stalking his service dog when they smelled it. The cougar acted like it was sneaking up on his dog for an attack. The tiger paced the front of the cage. Several of the other families there stayed close to where my grandson was because of all the animals reaction to the dog. The buffalo even came over close for a look.

[oohrah]

Let's put the TABC license in this perspective and see what everyone thinks.

Other venues that are not 30.06 or 51%, like convention centers, become 51% because an event coordinator changes it to 51% when they are leasing the venue. Doesn't this happen at gun shows?

I submit that the Cameron Park Zoo is operated by the city of Waco, and since it does not sell alcohol, it is not licensed, and therefore cannot be 51% during their daily operations.

However, the zoological society, which is a private, non-profit supporter of the zoo, occassionally "leases" the venue for fund-raisers which includes the sale of alcohol. So, the society needs a license, and during the event, the venue becomes 51%, but only during these events