PBLE Presentation

PBLE Presentation

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Jacob Maahs

Fargo, ND

Fargo's Future?

How will we get there...

Fargo PD Respond to Problem Bar

Small Bar - Big Issues

Ideas

Initial ideas to solve the problem:

You are sent to a call of several people fighting outside a bar. This same bar on your beat regularly generates several calls for service each month. The bar attracts a diverse group of customers. There have been issues involving liquor law violations, assaults, thefts and other problems both inside the bar and outside. On most nights, several officers are needed to handle calls around the premises.

• Increase police presence by adding extra patrol to the area

• Close the bar down/Get the bar’s liquor license taken away

• Increase better transportation to and from the bar

• Force the bar to close at an earlier time

• Put up surveillance cameras to deter disputes

• Ban problem patrons from the problem bar

• Implement better lighting in and around the bar

"There have been issues involving liquor law violations, assaults, thefts and other problems both inside the bar and outside."

Several calls for service each month

Step 3

Fargo Police Squads

The Facts

Enforcement and Accountability:

Here's what I know so far:

Should we get new ones?

This step seeks to follow through on municipal ordinances and keeping bars responsible in regards to their liquor licenses.

• Taking my documented history of incidents to the Liquor Control Board for consideration of penalties as described in section 25-1512 subs. B.

o The commission may, in its discretion, suspend or revoke for cause any license issued under the provisions of this article. The grounds for suspension or revocation shall, among others, include the following:

 The licensee conducts his business in a manner which results in, encourages or is conducive to the creation of disturbances of the peace, disorderly conduct or any other violations of federal, state and/or city laws.

• Alcohol is a common factor

• Frequent calls for service coming from the same bar

• Diverse customer base

• Calls usually require more than one officer

• Calls involve issues both inside and outside of the bar

• Main issues involve liquor law violations, assaults and thefts

Learning Issues

What do I need to know to solve this problem?:

• Who is already invested or has an interest in this problem?

o Emergency services

 Fargo Police

 FM Ambulance

 Hospitals

o Local businesses

o Neighborhood residents

o Bar owners / employees

o City of Fargo

 Liquor control Board

• Fargo City Commissioner

• Fargo City Attorney

• City Auditor

• Mayor of Fargo

• Fargo’s Police Chief

New Hires

Step 1

I remember my first day:

Documentation and gathering information:

• A career in a community oriented law enforcement agency can be yours if you want a job that offers: challenge, excitement, variety, teamwork and job satisfaction, opportunities for special assignments and career development, opportunities for promotion, outstanding benefit package including health and dental coverage, and an excellent retirement program.

• Are the conflicts starting inside of the bar or are they brought there?

- Incidents in command central show most assaults are started because of conflicts originating in the bar.

• Does this bar have a history of violence?

- Command central shows consistent calls for service over a long period of time.

• Is there a negative public perception associated with this bar?

- When speaking with officers, there are a handful of bars that are known to have a lot of calls for service. This is especially true for the downtown area

• What type of liquor violations are occurring?

- According to command central, through the process of alcohol compliance checks, many violations were found for selling alcohol to minors.

• Is alcohol always a factor?

- Alcohol seems to be the common denominator in assaults and other violations occurring on or around the bar.

• How often are underage drinkers involved?

- Command central highlights many cases of underage individuals trying to gain access into local bars.

• What percentage of incidents are caused by a small percentage of individuals?

- Looking through incidents on command central, I came across a variety of names and did not notice any specific names reoccurring during the past 12 months. This may not be the case over a longer period of time.

This step involves researching the specific incidents associated with my problem bar and area bars.

• By creating an accurate history of offenses associated with the problem bar, I can use this as a foundation for why change needs to occur.

• Identify commonalities in offenses. i.e., problem employees or patrons

o Get problem employees fired or retrained

o Get problem patrons trespassed

The End

Step 2

Nothing more to see here:

Community Enlistment and Education:

• Thanks for sitting through my presentation!
• I appreciate this opportunity to share with you what I've been learning in the PTO Program.
• Although I'm sure you've heard this presentation many times before... I hope you took something new out of it this time.

This step involves providing information to the area bars as well as the local residents on the specific laws associated with alcohol distribution, consumption, and relatable offenses. It also identifies problem areas and procedures that are conducive to violations and incidents requiring calls for service.

Action Plan

• Meeting with management and staff within the bar(s) to outline areas where they could improve.

a. Increase video surveillance

b. Increase lighting in and around bar

c. Retraining of employees i.e. Server Training-VIP-YIELDD

• Educate employees on the potential criminal penalties for:

• sale or delivery of alcohol to a minor:

a. NDCC 5-02-06, Class A mis: 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine

• Serving Intoxicated Persons:

a. 5-01-09, Class A misdemeanor: 1 year in jail and/or $2,000 fine

• Dram Shop Law (NDCC 05-01-06.1)

a. Every spouse, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person who is injured by any obviously intoxicated person has a claim for relief for fault against any person who knowingly disposes, sells, or gives away alcoholic beverages to:

• A person under twenty-one years of age

• An incompetent, or

• An obviously intoxicated person

• And if death ensues, the survivors of the deceased are entitled to damages.

Despite the fact that these issues are stemming from one of the bars on my beat, my action plan would seek to involve all of the liquor establishments within my beat/district. My reasoning behind this it to avoid the potential displacement of incidents within my community. Even if I were to fix the problems associated with this specific bar, who’s to say I’m not just pushing the issue down the street to the next location. To remedy this, I plan to incorporate all area bars in my action plan.