Patrons to area nightclubs may have noticed a stronger police presence around the establishments over the past several weeks. Following criteria set by Interim Selma Police Chief Bobby Jacobs, officers have begun inspecting nightclubs for possible violations and to prevent crimes from occurring.

Jacobs said patrol officers are entering nightclubs to check for underage customers, recognizable security personnel, whether the owners are present, occupancy violations and properly lighted exits.

The inspections are being conducted at random and during the nightclubs’ peak hours of business.

“Officers know where the troubled spots are and that is where they will be focusing on the most,” Jacobs said. “(The inspections) have been going on before, we just revised them again to give people a safe environment.”

By making their presence known, Jacobs said, officers will be able to monitor crowds in an effort to stem the increased amount of violence that has occurred in area nightclubs over the past several months.

The most recent incident of criminal activity at a nightclub, according to police reports, occurred shortly after midnight on Dec. 10 when shots were fired outside a club near the St. James Hotel.

Jacobs said the inspections are also being used to assist patrol division supervisors in allocating their resources. Extra patrols will be assigned to areas that are the most crowded or have been cited for violations.

Police will also be able to use their visits to gain more information on the specific types of private security available in nightclubs.

The extra patrols are ongoing and designed to ensure local nightclubs are in compliance with state and municipal laws.

“We’ve gotten full cooperation from the clubs, and we’ve even gotten some thank-yous,” Jacobs said.