RENO, Nev. (AP) - Reno police want to close more than a dozen bars for two hours at night to cut down on rowdy behavior and allow nearby residents to catch some sleep.

Police Chief Michael Poehlman said he wants the 15 bars closed
permanently from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. He said his officers respond six times more to downtown bars than any other businesses with liquor licenses, and the noise disturbs residents.

The bars can stay open all night under current city ordinances.

"For goodness sake, people are living next to and above these places," Poehlman said. "That's who is calling. It's terrible when you can't sleep."

Tom Cladianos, owner of the West Second Street Bar, said inebriated minors and people doing drugs cause most of the trouble, and police should focus on them instead.

He noted casinos don't have to close at certain times. "How can they tell some businesses to close but not the casinos?" Cladianos asked. "There is a legal issue."

Marilyn Johnson, a downtown resident, said she hears noise late at night from patrons leaving two nearby bars. "I sleep with earplugs. They stay out until five or six in the morning."

City Council members took no immediate action, but agreed Wednesday to form a committee to find solutions. Mayor Bob Cashell said he wants to close the bars at 2 a.m.