FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Williamson County officials asked a party bus company to not come back to their community.
On Saturday, law enforcement pulled over some of the open-air party buses. Franklin Mayor Ken Moore said in an email: “After a legal review, our Police Patrol team will be writing these party barges up for noise violation, alcohol consumption on a public street (both of which are violations of the Municipal Code). We have also heard some reports of ‘flashing’ by patrons. This would constitute indecent exposure.”
Since so called "transpotainment" is no longer able to operate in Nashville due to COVID-19, it appears they took the party to the Cool Springs area. City of Franklin Alderman Beverly Burger said they support small business and entrepreneurship, but companies have to play by the rules. “Numerous people said this is not who we are in Franklin.”
A spokesperson for the Franklin Police Department issued a statement: “They were operating in the Cool Springs area. One of the drivers was issued a citation for noise ordinance and everyone was made aware of the city open container law. Officers spoke to the manager of the operation and the buses are no longer operating in Franklin as of yesterday afternoon.”
The Brentwood Police Department issued a statement on Facebook, saying in part: “The Brentwood Police Department will enforce all applicable state law and local ordinance requirements that apply to these operations, including noise regulations as they relate to amplified sound from these vehicles. City staff will continue to assess our local codes as to how they may apply to these types of businesses and respond accordingly.”
Franklin and Brentwood residents took to social media and neighborhood apps to express their frustrations about it. “They were really shocked and saying okay if these are tourists going up and down Cool Springs Boulevard or Carothers, what are they looking at? Are they looking at our new Hilton? Are they looking at our Publix and our Target? There’s really not historic places to look at in that area,” Burger said.
Beverly said her phone has been blowing up. “Probably in the last day I have received more text messages, and more calls, and more emails in a short period of time, than I ever have while serving constituents in Franklin.”
While many of the transpotainment vehicles had branding on them, those appear to be advertisements. We reached out to Honky Tonk Party Express, and they have no comment at this time.
There is a mask mandate in Williamson County. However, since the patrons on the buses were consuming beverages, it’s not required that they wear masks while eating and drinking.
“I don’t think it belongs here,” Burger said.
