To address the issue of crime infiltrating the Manhattan cocktail scene, certain bars are taking proactive measures.
A local business group is launching the Village Safe Spot program to assist bars in the Greenwich Village area in preventing robberies and enhancing safety for their patrons. The program focuses on safety protocols and aims to provide accreditation and training to participating bars.
According to Jesse Gericke, the executive director of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, incidents of pickpocketing have been reported as patrons leave establishments, especially when they are alone or have been overserved.
The accreditation process involves a review of a bar’s existing policies related to safety measures, including crowd control, de-escalation techniques, overdose response, accurate liquor pouring, incident reporting, and more.
Businesses in Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Union Square, Flatiron, and Nomad will have access to nightlife management training provided by Safe Night LLC, designed for both owners and staff.
Angela, a manager at Blue Haven, expressed concerns about safety in the city post-COVID, noting an increase in incidents and a need for formalized safety policies.
Since the launch of the program, several businesses have shown interest in participating, with some already undergoing training sessions.
As concerns over late-night thefts grow in Greenwich Village, the Village Safe Spot program aims to increase safety measures and reduce incidents of robbery and assault.
By formalizing safety protocols and providing training to bar staff, the program aims to create a safer environment for patrons and reduce the likelihood of crimes targeting individuals leaving establishments.
