How We Support Businesses

As the lead agency for substance abuse prevention activities in the City of Providence, we offer a wide range of programs and services dedicated to promoting healthy communities, protecting youth and strengthening businesses. This website provides basic information on all of the services we provide, from trainings and technical assistance to resources and information on rules and regulations to resources and best practice guides. We hope that you find this site useful, and appreciate any suggestions (link to email- you might have for improving our on-line presence.

Mission

The Mission of the MSAPC is to protect youth and prevent harmful alcohol and drug use by:

• implementing evidenced-based programs
• building awareness
• providing effective education
• supporting comprehensive environmental strategies
• promoting the health and wellness of individuals and communities

Hospitality Resource Partnership

The Downtown Improvement District (DID) collaborated with the City of Providence and other organizations to establish the HRP in January 2007 with the goal of creating a more safe and vibrant arts and cultural environment downtown. The HRP is a model of private/ public collaboration among diverse stakeholders—including the City of Providence, Providence City Council Representative John Lombardi, the Downtown Improvement District, Rhode Island Foundation, Providence Foundation, Johnson & Wales University, Brown University, Providence College, Providence Police Department, Downtown Neighborhood Alliance, Cornish Associates, Providence Downtown Churches Association, Lupos, AS220, The Complex, Jewelry District Association, Club Hell, Mirabar, Prov, Black Repertory Company and Finnegan's Wake—to identify opportunities to create safe and vibrant nightlife in the Capital City.

The HRP meets quarterly convened by Frank LaTorre of the Downtown Improvement District and Lynne McCormack, Director of Art, culture and Tourism.

Email: Frank LaTorre for more information.

Mandating "Floor Host" Training and Background checks

Passage of City Ordinance 14-14. Requires licensing of persons working as floor hosts which includes training and background checks.

Providence is the first City in the country to mandate both background checks and job specific training for floor hosts/security guards.

It has been well documented that proper training can reduce expenses in several areas that cost liquor licenses a tremendous amount of money. Areas include;

• Lower insurance claims
• Lower insurance costs
• Lower incidents of violence
• Lower the number of lawsuits
• Lower attorneys fees

Training programs, to be successful must be tailored to the audience. The importance of job specific training which is designed strictly for the floor host or security guard working the door.

Passage of a Providence Fire Department Capacity Violation Pilot:

In 2008 the Rhode Island state law was written stating that the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshall or his or her designee can issue a state violation to a bar or club that is over capacity. However, there was a court ruling that only allows the State of Rhode Island Fire Marshall to actually issue a state violation to a bar or club that is over capacity.

The HRP worked in collaboration with the Providence Fire Department to advocate for the state Fire Marshall's Office to make an administrative change which will allow the Providence Deputy Fire Marshall's to receive essential training to be able to identify and if appropriate cite establishments for capacity violations.

This change in the ruling allows the Providence Fire Marshall's to work alongside Providence Liquor Enforcement Officers and issue violations of state capacity law on the spot.

Passage of a Staggered Hours Pilot Program

• Soft or Staggered Alcohol Venue Closing

Approximately 10 years ago, law enforcement agencies around the world began to examine the benefits and potential problems with staggered or soft closing times for alcohol service venues. Across the board, what was found is this:

Pros:

• Allowed crowds to leave slower and in smaller, more manageable groups.
• Allowed alcohol service venues to provide non-alcoholic drinks and in some cases food to their patrons.
• Allowed for a limited number of taxis to carry more passengers at the end of the night.
• Allowed for law enforcement to work with smaller groups as they left venues.
• Allowed for additional revenue stream for participating venues.
• Fewer traffic issues within smaller roadways.
• Fewer traffic fatalities.
• Fewer incidents of violence on nearby streets and in parking lots.
• Fewer citizen complaints regarding noise, public urination and intoxication.
• Fewer problems forced into other potential problem areas.

Cons:

• Potential for consumption of alcohol after legal service hours.
• Actual consumption of alcohol after legal service hours.
• Law enforcement perception of consumption after legal service hours.
• Fewer large crowds at one time vs. smaller crowds for longer periods of time.
• Getting the "buy in" from alcohol service venues to participate.

Soft or staggered closings, to succeed, should normally include other elements. Clear and defined limits for any participant, allowing food sales after hours, restricted music limits and mandated lighting settings can help this type of program create a safer environment for all involved stakeholders.

Programs and Services

• Informational sessions on renewing licenses in collaboration with the Providence Board of Licenses
• Trainings; provide trainings to businesses including 21 Proof Responsible beverage Service Trainings; can assist in coordination of fake identification trainings.
• 21 Proof Brochure
• 21 Proof was awarded a SAMHSA Science to Service Award-
• 21 Proof Handouts
• Build awareness about the dangers of youth substance abuse, trends
• Trends Report
• Provide best practice information for establishments

Hot Topics:

Who Must be Trained in Responsible Beverage Service (RBS)?

Fake Id Scanners- Do they Work?

The question inherently comes up about using fake id scanners to prevent illegal tobacco and alcohol sales to minors. What best practice has shown is that there is no magic bullet when it comes to youth access to alcohol and tobacco products. The combination of appropriate staff training, knowledge of rules and regulations and sound management practices are most important.

More information on fake ids, scanners or electronic age verification devices:

• Fake IDs 101 Poster
• Protocols for Checking IDs
• IA Electronic Age Verify

• Crowd Manager Laws

• Floor Host Registration Info
• Floor Host Application

• Hospitality Resource Partnership News Release