Creating a Safer Scene for All
The city of New Orleans is working to make its nightlife industry safer for staff and guests through a collaboration with nonprofit SAFE Bar Network.
With more businesses reaching out to the Office of Nighttime Economy about the need for greater preventative safety measures, the city and its beloved nightlife establishments are working together to make New Orleans' bar and club scene safer.
About SAFE
SAFE-certified businesses will be offered training for employees, which will teach them skills in the prevention and de-escalation of violence. Tackling issues such as overconsumption and harassment, these trainings are only one hour each and are designed for the service industry. They are free for the establishments and can teach up to 50 participants at a time.
While bystander intervention is a priority, SAFE's methods are about developing a communal space within the business where employees are always engaging in dialogue, sharing to each other when they notice strange or troubling activity, and uplifting one another. A key facet of SAFE is reducing employee turnover in the nightlife industry by building stronger communities among the staff.
Local bars that are already participating in the SAFE Bar Network include 12 Mile Limit, The Domino, Barrel Proof, and Kajun's Pub.
Benefits
The safer the nightlife industry becomes, the more fun it is for the rest of us! At the end of the day, the goal of a night out is to enjoy yourself and spend time with your friends. Knowing that New Orleans is making your safety a priority can help you party the night away worry-free!
As for the employees of these nightlife establishments, SAFE's initiatives are aimed at helping them develop a community with their coworkers and at making their jobs more stable with less turnover. An ongoing dialogue is the key for employees to increase their own safety and that of their customers.
