Des Moines, Iowa considers cracking down on ticket scalping

Government officials in Des Moines, IA have begun looking at creating buffer zones around venues and arenas in the city that would prohibit ticket scalping within 500 feet of the facility.

The proposed ordinance would move street scalpers away from the box offices to allow venues a better opportunity to sell tickets. Internet resale remains legal in the state, and the proposal would not change that.

In the past couple of years, several states and municipalities have relaxed their anti-scalping laws, but have often sought to retain buffer zones to help cut down on counterfeit ticket sales and other crimes. Click here to see video.

"We're really concerned about the safety of our guests," Jeff Chelesvig, of the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, recently told KCCI-TV. "It doesn't mean that people can't resell tickets, they just can't do it right outside the venue."

The City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal in the near future.