DES MOINES, Iowa — Polk County launched a new program to provide training for staff members at nightlife venues with the goal of enhancing safety.

The Polk County Board of Supervisors previously approved $10,500 for this new public safety initiative known as Polk County Safe Bars.

Safe Bars is a Maryland-based nonprofit that provides training to hospitality staff. The county will pay the nonprofit to provide intervention training for staff members who work at venues that serve alcohol in Polk County. The main focus of the training is to prevent sexual harassment.

According to the Chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors, Angela Connolly, this new program is part of a greater initiative to specifically enhance the safety of the Court Avenue Entertainment District. She said the county has invested over one million dollars to support the Downtown Entertainment District.

Part of this support was a recent study on venues in Court Avenue. The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) prepared a report in early May with conclusions from the study’s data. Among their recommendations listed in the report was to “create a sexual violence prevention program for social venues.”

Connolly said, “While the data on sexual assault is often unreliable because of the very low reporting rate, there was enough anecdotal stories of sexual assault happening via date rape drug intoxication that RHI included a recommendation for a program like this.”

The training will teach hospitality staff to recognize problematic behavior and empower them to take proactive steps to ensure safety. They focus on three categories:

Prevention: training staff on identifying harassment, unwanted advances, or other threats.

Intervention: providing staff with practical tools to intervene safely when they witness problematic behavior.

Support: encouraging safe environments where staff and patrons feel safe and empowered.

“Safety has become our number one priority and we are thankful to be implementing this in our city and look forward to expanding our entertainment districts throughout all of Polk County,” said Connolly.

On Thursday, a handful of bar/restaurant owners gathered to receive training. Those present included representatives for Annie’s Irish Pub, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, The Blazing Saddle, Up-Down, and more. Polk County also trained four of its employees.

Individuals who are trained may then offer two-hour training for all staff regularly.

“The program contributes to the overall safety and well-being of the community by reducing instances of harassment and assault in social settings. It helps promote a message of zero tolerance for harassment, helping shift cultural norms toward respect and safety in public spaces by participating bars and nightlife venues,” said Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen.

Annie Baldwin is the owner of Annie’s Irish Pub on Court Avenue. She said, “As an owner of 22 bars and restaurants in Central Iowa, I am committed to making sure my employees are safe in their work environment, as well as the thousands of guests we serve every month.”

Venues that are part of Polk County Safe Bars will soon have identification for patrons to know upon entering the space.