How to Deter Problems at your Bar

Columbia Police Department efforts to deter problems at bar locations.

Videos

• Bar & Nightclub Safety
• Alcohol Sales Compliance Checks

Tips

• Require all employees to complete and pass State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training (SMART).
• Conduct criminal background checks on all current and future employees requiring they have no felony convictions in the past five years, no drug convictions within the past five years, no liquor law violation convictions within the past five years, no sex offenses, and no jail/prison time within the past five years.
• Follow all federal, state, and local ordinances/statutes paying specific attention to those related to the service of alcohol, alcohol related ordinances/statutes, peace disturbance, and business closing times.
• Report all suspicious and/or criminal activity to Boone County Joint Communications using 911 or 573-442-6131.  The caller should provide their full name, that they are an employee of the bar, best description of the situation, and fully assist with the request of the operator.
• Assist law enforcement in investigating all suspected criminal activity that happens on or is associated with the property.
• Allow and assist law enforcement officers to conduct open business checks to verify compliance in these matters and to deter patrons from engaging in illegal activities.
• Employee staff bouncers to work the door, interior portions of the bar, and exterior portions of the premises and require bouncers to wear clothing that easily identifies them as Security.
• Provide door staff with black lights to assist in verifying the authenticity of ID’s.
• Door staff should familiarize themselves with what various state ID cards look like (ID booklets).
• Only allow those 21 and over into your establishment.
• Front door staff should use clickers to track the number of people on property and limit those numbers to 5 – 10% below the fire code limits.
• Do not allow weapons on the premises and take an active role in conducting searches to verify no weapons are being permitted.
• Dress code of no athletic wear, coats, sunglasses, etc.
• Issue trespass warnings to all persons who have been arrested at the property or from an incident involving the property.
• Keep a list of trespassed persons. Require all employees to review the list and give them access to view the list at all times.
• At closing time turn off all music, turn on all lights, and encourage all persons to swiftly leave the property including parking lots, sidewalks, etc.
• Do not allow anyone to exit the building with an open container of alcohol, especially cans and bottles. 
•  Attend annual University of Missouri – Columbia bar owners meetings.