The City of Davenport considers cutting off businesses from getting new liquor licenses.
The proposed moratorium would last for six months.
It's targeted for an area in west Davenport considered to be at-risk of becoming a problem area.
Life on the streets was, at one time, all Wallace Ross really knew.
Formerly homeless, he knows the trouble a concentration of liquor stores can bring to a neighborhood.
"It's going to create a Pandora's Box, beautiful emerald-like box and the minute you pop that sucker open, it's too hard to get back in," said Ross.
That's why 3rd Ward Alderman Bill Boom has proposed a six-month moratorium on liquor licenses in West Davenport.
He's concerned over the ramifications of too many liquor stores there.
"We have petty crime and that makes people feel unsafe in their neighborhood," said Boom.
ATC Liquor is a convenience store that sells alcohol near Second and Marquette.
As the manager, Angela Crocetta says her store serves more of a purpose to the community by providing food and a restroom for the homeless.
She supports the moratorium.
"With a liquor license, I think they should have to provide food as well as necessities," said Crocetta.
The accessibility of alcohol, Ross says, is a big problem.
"It's good to travel 10 miles to get your drink, that way, you take it home and you get another and sit down,” he said.
Aldermen who don't want a moratorium say free enterprise should determine which of these similar businesses succeed and which ones don't.
A vote is expected on April 10th.