Polk County to train bar staffs in new sexual assault prevention program
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Polk County is launching a program to train staff of alcohol-serving establishments in identifying and intervening to prevent sexual assault.
Why it matters: Fostering safer environments improves public safety and better protects hundreds of millions of dollars in downtown investments, Polk County Supervisor Tom Hockensmith previously told Axios.
Catch up quick: Perennial problems with violence in the Court Avenue entertainment district prompted local governments in 2022 to hire a nightlife management firm to assess how to resolve the issues.
- The firm's report last year included the sexual assault prevention program as a top recommendation following community outreach events and surveys.
Driving the news: Polk County supervisors recently approved hiring Safe Bars, a Maryland-based group, to launch intervention training for staff of establishments like bars, restaurants, hotels, breweries, clubs and event venues.
- The organization will provide bystander training to help hospitality staff recognize when someone is being targeted and how to intervene, Sarah Boese, the county's deputy administrator, tells Axios.
- The county's cost is $10,500.
What they're saying: Deb Madison-Levi, president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, tells Axios that the training is a worthy investment.
- Other efforts, such as a new downtown summer police squad, have alleviated nuisance behaviors, per Madison-Levi.
The intrigue: An ID scanner program was also recently implemented to allow bars to share information about problematic patrons, Boese notes.
What's next: Voluntary training will take place in late September.
- Staff from the county's attorney's office, health department, and crisis team, and bar industry representatives, will offer regularly updated courses and assist other entertainment districts, Boese says.