What a bright idea!

In a move that's sure to bolster the local economy, the geniuses who run Newark, NJ have decided to do this:

Small restaurants in the city of Newark, New Jersey will be required to have an armed security guard at night under a new law approved by the city council.

The rule comes in the wake of a drive-by shooting in May at the Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza restaurant, where an off-duty Newark police officer was killed.

Under the ordinance, approved by the council unanimously on Thursday, restaurants that serve 15 or fewer people must hire an armed guard to stand watch after 9 p.m. Those unwilling to pay for a security guard must close by 10 p.m.

"If they want to stay open that late, they should provide security. If not, they should close," said Councilman Ras Baraka, who wrote the bill, in a telephone interview.

Uh-huh. Because having some security guard standing around would have totally deterred a drive-by shooting.

Also, forcing small restaurants to close earlier, thereby cutting work hours for employees who are already probably barely scraping by on minimum wage is just a fantastic way to cut down on crime. Be sure to pat yourselves on the back when people start shoplifting things like bread and diapers like crazy.