--- title: "Arlington Restaurant Initiative" type: "pdf" year: "2019" canonical: "/projects/134" --- Arlington County Police Department Arlington, Virginia ![img-0.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-0.jpeg) # A R L I N G TON VIRGINIA # Table of Contents - [A R L I N G TON VIRGINIA](#a-r-l-i-n-g-ton-virginia) - [ARLINGTON RESTAURANT INITIATIVE](#arlington-restaurant-initiative) - [Summary Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm Through Mutually Beneficial Relationships](#summary-reducing-alcohol-related-harm-through-mutually-beneficial-relationships) - [Scanning](#scanning) - [Analysis](#analysis) - [Response](#response) - [Assessment](#assessment) - [Project Description](#project-description) - [Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm Through Mutually Beneficial Relationships](#reducing-alcohol-related-harm-through-mutually-beneficial-relationships) - [Scanning](#scanning) - [Analysis](#analysis) - [Response](#response) - [Police Data](#police-data) - [Fire Data](#fire-data) - [Perception of Safety](#perception-of-safety) - [Assessment](#assessment) - [Conclusion](#conclusion) - [Agency and Officer Information](#agency-and-officer-information) - [Appendix A](#appendix-a) - [Arlington County Police Department NEWS RELEASE 1425 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-558-2222](#arlington-county-police-department-news-release-1425-n-courthouse-rd-arlington-va-22201-703-558-2222) - [5 Things to Know during Alcohol Awareness Month](#5-things-to-know-during-alcohol-awareness-month) - [A Collaborative Approach to Alcohol Safety](#a-collaborative-approach-to-alcohol-safety) - [Appendix B](#appendix-b) - [Building a Safer Community through Training](#building-a-safer-community-through-training) - [Appendix C](#appendix-c) - [Raising Community Awareness to End Impaired Driving](#raising-community-awareness-to-end-impaired-driving) - [Appendix E](#appendix-e) - [Establishing Safe and Reliable Transportation Options](#establishing-safe-and-reliable-transportation-options) - [Appendix F](#appendix-f) - [Appendix G](#appendix-g) - [Appendix H](#appendix-h) - [\#ASK FORANGELA SAY NO MORE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE](#ask-forangela-say-no-more-to-sexual-violence) - [66 HI I'M ANGELA,](#66-hi-im-angela) - [Appendix I](#appendix-i) - [SoberRide Vehicle](#soberride-vehicle) - [Appendix J](#appendix-j) - [Appendix K](#appendix-k) - [WTO](#wto) - [Appendix L](#appendix-l) - [Appendix M](#appendix-m) - [Appendix N](#appendix-n) ## ARLINGTON RESTAURANT INITIATIVE 2019 Herman Goldstein Award Submission Improving Relationships and Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm # Summary Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm Through Mutually Beneficial Relationships ## Scanning Clarendon is a neighborhood in Arlington County, VA and is just three miles outside of Washington, D.C. Clarendon has become a booming nightlife destination and hosts over 500,000 visitors each year on Friday and Saturday nights between 9 pm and 3 am . Clarendon also draws bar crawls throughout the year and by the summer of 2015 became a drain on police department resources and staffing. With the increase of restaurants and patrons, Clarendon saw a rise in alcohol-related harm, assaults, assaults on officers, and over-intoxication. ## Analysis In the summer of 2015, Master Police Officer (MPO) Dimitrios Mastoras submitted a proposal to create a full-time restaurant liaison position to address alcohol-related issues. This included a change in the department's policing approach from enforcement-only to training and guidance. A collaboration began with Dr. Charlotte Gill of the George Mason University Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy to conduct a research analysis of Clarendon nightlife with findings released in an academic report titled Reducing AlcoholRelated Crime and Disorder in Clarendon (2017). While evaluating proven strategies, Best Bar None in the United Kingdom was identified as a program that encourages responsible management and operation of bars that serve alcohol to reduce alcohol-related harm. Additionally, the restaurant liaison developed relationships, training for restaurant staff, and created a voluntary accreditation program for the restaurants in Arlington County. ## Response The Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) was introduced in 2017-2018 and is a voluntary accreditation program, in which restaurants implement employee policies and best practices to reduce alcohol-related harm. Restaurant staff is provided free training in the following areas by several County agencies: - Responsible alcohol service - Fake identification detection - De-escalation training - Criminal/Civil liability - Bar Bystander - Sexual assault intervention training - Public safety expectations - Documentation - Fire codes and occupancy - Noise ordinance training - VA ABC codes - Hands-only CPR - "Ask for Angela" patron safety program ## Assessment Once a shift from an enforcement-only, to education and prevention was implemented, Arlington County partnered with The University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute and Initiative to conduct a social impact analysis (SIA) and an economic impact analysis (EIA) to evaluate the return on investment for the restaurant owners, the residents, and Arlington County agencies. # Project Description ## Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm Through Mutually Beneficial Relationships ## Scanning Clarendon is a neighborhood in Arlington County, VA, three miles outside of Washington, D.C. Clarendon and is home to a diverse array of restaurants, luxury homes, and retail establishments. A Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro station sits in the heart of Clarendon and provides regional access to this premier area of restaurants and nightlife. There are no traditional bars or taverns in Virginia and the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority (ABC) requires that establishments must serve food during hours of operation and classifies every establishment serving alcohol as a restaurant. However, many restaurants participate in nightlife in the Clarendon neighborhood and it has continued to grow. Clarendon now hosts over approximately 500,000 visitors each year on Friday and Saturday nights between 9 pm and 3 am. The Arlington County Police Department's (ACPD) initial response to the evolution of Clarendon was reactive. As the number of establishments continued to increase, the department initially assigned the Clarendon nightlife detail to the $2^{\text {nd }}$ District Community Policing Team to manage the increase in activity. The team conducted alcohol violation checks, provided responsible alcohol service training, and began working the Clarendon area as part of their regular assignment on Friday and Saturday nights. Officers positioned themselves across the street from establishments and behind their cruisers, far away from security and patrons. As a result, the only interactions restaurant staff and patrons had with officers was when they intervened in fights or arrested patrons for being drunk in public or disorderly. (Appendix D). From 2012 through 2015, Arlington County public safety was focused only on enforcement of patrons and restaurant owners. During this time, traditional police responses resulted in increased arrests, assaults on officers, and assault and battery. Officers were fatigued, and many were unwilling to sign up for the overtime nightlife detail. Officers that did work Clarendon tended to focus on the most obvious issues: the intoxicated patron and their behaviors. Alcohol-related crimes such as drunk in public, assault, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and assaults on officers were typical issues in our nightlife area. Officers employed what they perceived as the quickest solution, which was often to make mass arrests to control behavior and deter intoxicated patrons. Restaurant and bar owners also felt targeted by enforcement, which contributed to an adversarial relationship with police, fire, and ABC officers. Owners and staff stated that they were unwilling to call the police when necessary because they feared negative perceptions from the Police Department and the community. By summer of 2015, twenty (20) officers were working in Clarendon every weekend night due to an increase in assaults by mob, assault on officers, public disorder crimes, occupancy violations, and over-serving of patrons. This was a significant increase in staffing for Clarendon, which normally was staffed with six (6) to eight (8) officers. Patrol supervisors recognized that the increase in public disorder crimes required more staffing and could not be sustained long term. Clarendon nightlife quickly became dangerous for ACPD officers and the patrons of the establishments. Officers stated that they no longer felt safe working the Clarendon detail because of the increased chance of being assaulted or being involved in a use of force. From September 2015 to February 2016, officers stopped signing up for the overtime Clarendon detail. Midnight and evening officers were forced to staff the detail. Management of officer staffing and maintaining public safety in Clarendon became a top priority for ACPD and the community. Additionally, there was not a full-time position or unit to address or identify issues going on at the restaurants contributing to the increased activity. # Analysis ACPD Master Police Officer (MPO) Dimitrios Mastoras began looking for a new approach to address the identified increase in alcohol-related violence from 2012 through 2015, While researching existing programs to reduce alcohol-related harm, MPO Mastoras found Best Bar None (BBN) in the United Kingdom. BBN is an accreditation program aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises to reduce alcohol-related harm. From 2012 - 2014, BBN Scotland saw a 12\% decrease in serious assault, a $9 \%$ decrease in common assault, and a $6 \%$ drop in disorderly conduct (Appendix F). MPO Mastoras submitted a proposal to change the department's policing approach to the Clarendon area. The idea was widely accepted by ACPD leadership, and Chief M. Jay Farr created the ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit (RLU) and appointed MPO Mastoras as the Restaurant Liaison Officer. The unit's mission was to develop a new response that would address the growing problem in Clarendon. MPO Mastoras then partnered and began a collaboration with Dr. Charlotte Gill, Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the George Mason University Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy to identify issues that could be addressed differently. Dr. Gill conducted a research analysis of Clarendon nightlife with findings released in an academic report titled Reducing Alcohol-Related Crime and Disorder in Clarendon (2017). The report included the following recommendations to ACPD to reduce alcohol-related harm. - ACPD needs a proactive problem-solving approach rather than a reactive approach. - Clarendon detail officers may be most effective if they focus on community engagement, fake identification detection, and supporting security staff. - Small and inexpensive changes to the physical environment can reduce problems that promote safety both inside and outside the restaurants. - Social media-based public service announcements may reduce the use of fake identifications. - Restaurants would benefit from mandatory standardized training on safety and compliance for management and staff. One issue that became apparent during this review was ACPD only recorded calls for service, reports, and arrests, making it difficult to draw conclusions. Dr. Gill pointed out that there are many more contacts, engagements, and interventions that take place on every shift that do not result in one of the previously mentioned categories (arrest, call for service, report). Based on Dr. Gill's recommendation, the ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit created a new nightlife detail log sheet to be completed by all officers. The log sheet is made available on an electronic fillable form PDF or can be handwritten and submitted at the end of the shift. The log sheets are used to record data, examine trends, and identify specific restaurant activity that contributes to alcohol-related harm, especially arrests. Specifically, a new category labeled "Contacts," captures attempts at intervention or other interactions that do not result in a call for service or an arrest. Officers and fire marshals who work the Clarendon detail frequently have interactions with restaurant staff and patrons that prevent or deter crime but do not rise to the level of enforcement. Examples of contacts are: - Interacting with patrons waiting to enter restaurants to determine their level of intoxication - Helping intoxicated patrons secure transportation (ride-share or taxi) - Preventing fights and disorderly conduct before an incident escalates. - Maintaining safety by moving ride-share, taxis, and intoxicated patrons out of the roadway. - Positive community engagement such as taking photos, shaking hands, and having friendly conversations. - Assisting security staff in fake identification verification. - Assisting security staff in removing patrons who are disorderly or intoxicated. - Checking occupancy and egress. The amount of contacts reveals a narrative that cannot be told from arrests alone. For example, restaurants with a high number of police contacts indicate a willingness by restaurant staff to allow police intervention before issues escalate. The data also indicates levels of activity that ACPD uses to determine the deployment of officers. Additionally, data on Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) medical transports and notices of violation (NOV) were also considered in the distribution of resources. # Response As alcohol-related violence continued to increase, the department implemented traditional police responses to address the issue. However, those attempts did little to influence or change the culture that had developed. After reviewing the data collected by Dr. Gill and MPO Mastoras, it became clear that a holistic approach was necessary to bring about change in Clarendon's nightlife. Using Best Bar None as a model, the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) was developed. The goal of the ARI program is to provide effective practices for the restaurants and staff training that hold a Virginia ABC license. The following agencies were solicited to assist in developing the best practices: - Arlington County Police Department - Arlington County Fire Marshal's Office - Arlington County Department of Human Services - Public Health Office - Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development - Arlington County Zoning Office - Arlington Department of Human Services - Project Peace - Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Office - Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Office - Victim/Witness Assistance - Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control The County agencies committed themselves to the new relationship-based approach. They worked with owners, managers, and staff; providing training and guidance to improve voluntary compliance. Data and Budget - ACPD used data collected to support requests for increased staffing and a dedicated budget. The budget allocated by Arlington County has increased from $\$ 60,000$ in 2012 to $\$ 212,000$ in 2017. Funding continues to be a challenge as nightlife in Arlington County continues to grow in areas such as Ballston and Crystal City. ACPD prioritized the collection of data and how it is used to deploy resources. The following information is now collected: # Police Data All contacts - Positive citizen contacts with officers - Drunk in public intervention - Supporting security and restaurant staff ID verification - Calls for service and arrests from the originating restaurant - "Last Drink" data (Arrestees \& detainees) Arrests by type Violent Crime - Rape - Sexual Assault - Aggravated A\&B/Malicious Wounding - A\&B on Law Enforcement Traffic - DUI - Reckless driving - Hit \& Run - Traffic violations Quality of Life Crimes - Drunk in public - Underage possession of alcohol - Urinating in public - Possession of a fake ID - Destruction of property - Noise Complaints - Trash/Litter - Pedestrian Violations # Fire Data - EMS Calls - Fire Marshal inspections for occupancy and public safety issues - "Last Drink" data (Arrestees \& detainees) - List of establishments visited ## Perception of Safety - Jurisdiction (Officers, Code Enforcement, Fire Marshals) - Community - Bars/Restaurants staff - Patrons Relationships with Stakeholders - The new Restaurant Liaison Unit also needed to determine the stakeholders, establish their level of investment, and identify their intervention roles was crucial before ACPD implemented a new strategy. - County Agencies - Public safety, health, code enforcement, zoning, etc. - Community - Residents, civic associations, neighboring businesses - Restaurants - Owners, managers, bartenders/servers, security staff Once relationships were established, restaurant owners and staff expressed that responsible alcohol service training, public safety expectations, and fair application of enforcement would help reduce alcohol-related crime. At civic association meetings, community leaders and residents voiced the desire for owners to take more responsibility for the behavior of their patrons after they leave the restaurants. Some of this behavior included intoxicated patrons wandering into the surrounding neighborhoods, trespassing, littering, and noise violations. Arlington County agencies agreed there was little communication between the enforcement agencies about issues facing Clarendon during nightlife hours. In response, the Police Department, Fire Marshal's Office, Public Health Office, and the Code Enforcement Office developed standards for restaurants to improve safety and are the foundation of the ARI Standards. Additionally, a formal mechanism of information sharing was created, called the ARI Weekly Restaurant Report, for the County agencies and VA ABC. This report includes all significant calls for service, contacts, and arrests occurring at any restaurant with a VA ABC license. The expectation is that providing these agencies with up-to-date information will allow them to provide assistance in bringing restaurants into compliance. Secondary stakeholders such as the Arlington Office of Economic Development and Arlington Chamber of Commerce furthered economic prosperity by advocating, promoting, and highlighting individual restaurants that earn ARI accreditation to increase safety and profitability. Determining Restaurant/Bar Risk Potential - Prioritizing training for restaurant staff was essential in utilizing our resources efficiently. Determining the potential risk of alcohol-related harm dictated training and strategies that a restaurant received. Risk factors include: High Risk - High ratio of alcohol to food sales, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, live entertainment, patron age range 21-30 years old, participates in "nightlife" hours ( $9 \mathrm{pm}-3 \mathrm{am}$ ), employs security staff, allows for maximum occupancy, and stays open until ABC cutoff time for service. Medium Risk - Equal food to alcohol sales during the week, has live entertainment permit but uses it intermittently, open during "nightlife" hours ( $9 \mathrm{pm}-3 \mathrm{am}$ ) but does not participate regularly, patron age range 28-35 years old, employs 1-2 security staff on Friday and Saturday, allows for maximum occupancy but doesn't regularly achieve it, and stays open until ABC cutoff time for service. Low Risk - Food sales greatly outnumber alcohol sales, no live entertainment permit, maintains alcohol license for lunch and dinner, patron age 35+ years old, and closes earlier as "nightlife" begins. Establishment of the ARI Team and Unified Strategy - Developing a successful, unified strategy with support, input, and cooperation from multiple government agencies was critical. We then prioritized the efforts of our unified strategy. 1. Safety - Police, Fire, ABC, and Public Health. Maintaining public safety and order are paramount and was the priority. 2. Relationships - Ongoing collaboration between individuals and agencies was necessary for effective change. Beginning with collaborations on smaller projects, we increased the scale of improvements as relationships developed over time. 3. Establish Agency Liaisons - Engaging, knowledgeable agency staff that understand their agency's role and support the broader mission of change is an essential aspect of maintaining interagency relationships. 4. Training - Cross training officers and fire marshals in ABC law, maintaining occupancy levels, fake identification detection, and nightlife management were vital to keeping order and ensuring the consistent application of the law. 5. Directives and Policies - We established guidelines and policies for policing nightlife areas, to include teaching proper enforcement. Restaurant owners and managers received a consistent message from the jurisdiction, including clear expectations and enforcement standards, increasing likelihood that the owners would accept accountability. Training for Patrol Officers - ACPD utilizes the full-time unit/overtime model to manage the nightlife detail of officers. The Restaurant Liaison Unit is responsible for the deployment and training of officers who work the nightlife detail. Training covers alcohol regulations, responsible alcohol service, fake identification training, active shooter response, security training, public safety expectations, code enforcement (noise \& zoning), fire codes and occupancy, and crowd management. Along with agency liaisons, officers from the Restaurant Liaison Unit engaged in creating restaurant standards to reduce alcohol-related harm including police expectations, fire code and occupancy, noise ordinance, zoning codes, and active shooter training. This model has served well in Arlington County by increasing the knowledge base of over 150 officers who work the nightlife detail as part of their shift or as an overtime shift. The officers, now aware of noise and alcohol violations they did not recognize before the training, are better equipped to intervene sooner before a complaint is received. Desired Officer Characteristics - The George Mason University (GMU) report identified officer characteristics and attributes conducive to nightlife policing. Officers and patrons shared the same opinions about positive officer characteristics: - Approachable - Community oriented - Accountable - Responsible - Dependable - Logic or reasoning skills - Ethical/honesty/integrity - Professional Derived from GMU Report, Reducing Alcohol-Related Crime and Disorder in Clarendon (2017) p. 16 by Dr. Charlotte Gill, Dennis Almaraz. As part of the ACPD officer nightlife training, these characteristics are discussed with the officers who work the nightlife detail. If applied, these attributes can assist the officers in policing this environment by increasing positive interaction between the officers, staff, and patrons. The Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) - The Arlington Restaurant Initiative provides the base for restaurant employee policies. Agencies including ACPD, ACFD, VA ABC, Public Health, and Zoning were are all needed to develop standards that focus on the most critical elements of safety. Adapting these standards required a thorough review of applicable Virginia ABC laws, Arlington County code, and Virginia State fire code. ABC does not require training or policies to obtain and operate a VA ABC license. While they do provide voluntary training, many owners do not have staff participate since there is no requirement. The Arlington County Office of the Fire Marshal, ABC, Arlington County Department of Public Health, and Arlington County Zoning Office provided a list of specific standards to reduce alcohol-related harm and increase public safety for establishments. Each agency liaison met with three Arlington County restaurant owners to create and evaluate these standards for use in Arlington. This collaboration resulted in the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) Accreditation Standards \& Guide for Writing Policy. The guide is broken down into three (3) sections similar to the BBN model: Written Policies - Employee policies are to be written into existing employee handbooks or as a stand-alone employee guide. The guide provides standards and law, as well as a sample employee policy, which meets the ARI standard. Operational Checklists - Certain documents need to be present on the premises for review to meet compliance with the law or for ARI accreditation. These include incident reports, training documentation (including responsible alcohol service and first aid/CPR), a list of banned patrons, and weekly occupancy counts. Physical Verification - A checklist of all required items and documentation including VA ABC license, first aid kit, safety equipment, VA ABC list of managers, and a list of repairs and maintenance to the property, is completed prior to accreditation. By making the program voluntary, restaurants bear the responsibility for operating safely, and Arlington agencies can show VA ABC and the Arlington County Board the restaurant owner's level of commitment to nightlife safety. Eight (8) restaurant owners across Arlington County received the standards of the ARI pilot program over twelve (12) months. After implementing the program, these restaurants were asked to provide feedback to the Restaurant Liaison Unit regarding, ease of use in understanding the guide and standards, the time needed to write policies, difficulties encountered when writing policies, and challenges faced during policy implementation. During the ARI pilot program, the ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit continually followed-up with owners and managers to ensure they were completing each step of the accreditation process appropriately. While many restaurants were practicing the ARI standards informally, they did not have employee policies or training to hold employees accountable. After receiving ARI training, most owners recognized and acknowledged that their employees did not previously have most of the knowledge provided by the Restaurant Liaison Unit. ARI Assessor - Arlington County utilizes officers and fire marshals to implement the ARI training to the restaurant owners and staff. An ARI assessor is a police officer or fire marshal that has undergone a three (3) hour training in the ARI standards and policies that is certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). ARI assessors have training in public safety expectations, criminal law, ABC laws, noise ordinance, fake identification detection, public health codes related to ARI, and zoning codes. The ARI assessor then provides training to restaurant staff, reviews restaurant policies, and provides guidance. ARI Accreditation - The ARI accreditation is valid for one (1) year of approval by an ARI assessor. Each year, the restaurant resubmits policies to their assigned ARI assessor, and the ARI assessor conducts further training and a restaurant walkthrough. ARI Revocation - Although a revocation policy is necessary in extreme cases of neglect or endangerment, the goal of the ARI program is compliance. Specific indicators precipitate a review by the ARI coordinator (ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit) and other County agencies. The indicators chosen were crimes or violations that endanger public health and safety. Examples of the indicators are, assault \& battery resulting in injury, assault by mob, assault on law enforcement, failure to maintain egress, intoxication requiring medical transport, and public health violations. A recommended revocation of accreditation requires a review by the Arlington County Manager's Office. Revocation by the Arlington County Manager will last for one (1) year, and the owner of the restaurant is given ten (10) days to appeal the decision and request a hearing. After a suspension of one (1) year, the owner may apply again for the ARI program. ARI Promotion - In the BBN UK model, alcohol distillers and distributors provide promotion and fund an awards banquet. The ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit took a different approach by partnering with the Arlington County Office of Economic Development and Arlington Chamber of Commerce to promote the restaurants' successful participation in the ARI program, including promotion through social media platforms, news stories, and an awards ceremony to recognize ARI restaurants. ARI Moving Forward - With over 300 restaurants in Arlington County holding a VA ABC license, there is an opportunity to increase the participation in the voluntary program. The goal for Arlington County is to have as many restaurants participate as possible and to add new restaurants each year. Arlington County has a goal of making the ARI door sticker one of distinction and value to the restaurant and the patron. Currently, there are thirty (30) restaurants that have achieved accreditation. # Assessment Benefits - Restaurant owners participating in nightlife safety training and ARI accreditation stated they expect an overall reduction in alcohol-related harm due to increased knowledge of liability and the law. If restaurant owners and managers support improved practices, they can expect to experience: increased compliance with law, enhanced customer experience, safer environment for staff and patrons, and a better relationship with community. They should also expect to see reductions in liability and fewer violations of the law. Following the implementation of ARI, ACPD saw a decrease in alcohol-related violence. (Appendix D) Training for Restaurant/Bar Staff \& Security - Providing a schedule of training to restaurant staff and security has helped address specific incidents and is given as needed to account for employee turnover. Trained officers and fire marshals educate restaurant staff on topics including fake identification detection, knowledge of ABC codes, responsible alcohol service, public safety expectations, criminal/civil liability, deescalation techniques, Bar Bystander sexual assault intervention training, and CPR. University of Virginia Partnership - The University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute and Initiative (formerly with Virginia Tech) partnered with Arlington County to conduct a social impact analysis (SIA) and an economic impact analysis (EIA) to determine return on investment for the restaurant owners, the residents, and Arlington County agencies. # Conclusion Providing training for restaurant staff can help reduce violent crimes associated with alcohol. These crimes include shootings, stabbings, aggravated assaults, assaults on law enforcement, and sexual assault. Reducing violent crime that is associated with a nightlife area requires a shift from enforcement to one of prevention and guidance. This cultural change from enforcement alone, to building consistent relationships, is not done quickly and requires a long-term commitment from agency leaders. Restaurants and the jurisdiction benefit if patrons feel safe in their nightlife areas. ACPD saw an increase for each year (2016 - 2018) in contacts and calls for service while violent alcohol-related harm fell. With an increased level of officer intervention and engagement, there is an expected rise in alcohol-related quality of life crime, such as public intoxication arrests (Appendix D). The level of responsibility has increased among restaurant owners as demonstrated by their willingness to adopt employee policies, accept training from ACPD, and allow ACPD to intervene before incidents escalate in their restaurants. With more restaurants participating and encouraging officer intervention, our next goal will be to reduce high levels of intoxication caused by over-service of alcohol. The return on investment for ACPD has been the reduction of resources needed to manage Clarendon and Ballston, fewer assaults on officers, increased the morale of officers working the detail, and mutually-beneficial relationships. With the arrival of Amazon HQ2 in 2019, ACPD will use the lessons learned in Clarendon as nightlife continues to grow across the County. # Agency and Officer Information Captain Michael Rowling Lieutenant Matt Owens Sergeant Christine Riccio Master Police Officer Dimitrios Mastoras Restaurant Liaison Specialist Samantha Brien Arlington County Police Department Restaurant Liaison Unit 1425 N. Courthouse Rd Arlington, VA 22201 Desk - 703-228-7423 Cell - 703-674-9318 dmasto@arlingtonva.us # Appendix A ## Arlington County Police Department NEWS RELEASE 1425 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-558-2222 April 9, 2019 MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Savage, 703.228.4331 ## 5 Things to Know during Alcohol Awareness Month ARLINGTON, Va. - Alcohol Awareness Month, recognized each April, is a public health program designed to increase outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol. The Arlington County Police Department is committed to addressing the underlying issues of alcohol-related harm through innovative strategies and community partnerships. ![img-1.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-1.jpeg) ## A Collaborative Approach to Alcohol Safety The Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) was developed as a voluntary accreditation program to increase the overall safety of customers, businesses and neighborhood residents in areas with nightlife and entertainment. Through a collaborative approach between government agencies and businesses that serve alcohol, Arlington County has improved the strategies and standards of establishments serving alcohol while building positive community relations, reducing crime and recognizing responsible businesses. Restaurants earn accreditation in ARI by writing and adopting employee policies that meet the ARI standards to reduce alcoholrelated harm and increase safety. Restaurants that display the ARI Accredited Restaurant decal on their door demonstrate their commitment to the safety of their patrons and the community. Learn more about ARI and the accredited restaurants. # Appendix B ![img-2.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-2.jpeg) ## Building a Safer Community through Training Recognizing the importance of training to support effective standards, ARI accreditors from various County agencies provide training to restaurant staff to raise effective practices and comply with the law. Types of training include: - TiPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) – Responsible alcohol service - Fake identification detection and deterrence - De-escalation techniques for staff - Public safety expectations and procedures if a crime occurs - Fire safety and occupancy - Hands only CPR Arlington County Fire Department/Hands2Hearts-Virginia Hospital Center - Bar Bystander Program – Intervention training to reduce sexual and domestic assault # Appendix C ![img-3.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-3.jpeg) - Compliance with food safety regulations - Assistance meeting zoning ordinances - Active shooter training - Ask for Angela – sexual violence prevention campaign ![img-4.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-4.jpeg) ## Raising Community Awareness to End Impaired Driving Despite the many reliable transportation options in our area, police continue to see motorists make the dangerous decision to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. The high-visibility SoberRide® Vehicle, a partnership with Lyft Mid-Atlantic and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP), is designed to combat one of the rare public health issues that is 100% preventable – drunk driving. Since July 2018, the SoberRide® Vehicle was displayed at 17 outreach events, serving as a reminder to arrive home safely after drinking whether it's by using a ridesharing service, taxi, public transportation, or designated sober driver. Learn more about the mission of this eye-catching vehicle. Appendix D | Year | Contacts | UIP | DIP | A&B | A&B LEO | A&B Mob | Malicious Wounding | Felony Drugs | Misd. Drugs | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2012 | 820 | 12 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | | 2013 | 859 | 5 | 54 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | | 2014 | 882 | 12 | 70 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | | 2015 | 968 | 8 | 106 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | | 2016 | 8922 | 8 | 99 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | 2017 | 15898 | 2 | 84 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | | 2018 | 19362 | 3 | 120 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Arlington County Police Department Nightlife Statistics - Friday & Saturday Nights 9pm - 3am - 11 Officers & 1 Supervisor ACPD Nightlife Detail Log Sheet | DIP Pedestrians: | | | | | | | | | | ☑ Clarendon | ☐ Ballston | | | | | Date: | | | | | Detail Supervisor: | | | | | Detail Officer: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | # Appendix E Arlington County Police Department NEWS RELEASE 1425 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-558-2222 ![img-5.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-5.jpeg) ## Establishing Safe and Reliable Transportation Options Arlington's vibrant nightlife and entertainment areas continues to grow, and with it, the need for safer travels there and back. Arlington County, working with rideshare companies Lyft, Uber, and Red Top Cab, is ensuring patrons have dependable sober rides by designating weekend pick-up and drop-off locations. The initiative also aims to improve safety on our roadways by curbing illegal practices, such as double parking and stopping in travel lanes, bus stops, bike lanes and crosswalks, to load and unload passengers. These zones can be found in the Clarendon neighborhood and additional nightlife areas are currently being evaluated. We encourage the public to exercise safety precautions when using rideshare transportation. Safety tips include, avoid riding in the front seat, travel in groups, check the make and model of the car, look at the license plate, and ensure the person driving is pictured on the app. Lastly don't say your name, ask the driver to identify who they are picking up. Ask the driver, 'What's my name?' before you get in the car. # Appendix F ![img-6.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-6.jpeg) # Appendix G ![img-7.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-7.jpeg) Clarendon Rideshare Loading Zones 9pm-3am/Fri \& Sat # Appendix H ## \#ASK FORANGELA SAY NO MORE TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE ## 66 HI I'M ANGELA, ARE YOU ON A DATE DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT ISN'T WORKING OUT? YOU'RE NOTINA SAFE SITUATION? IS YOUR TINDER OR DOES IT ALL FEEL POF DATE NOT WHO THEY SAID THEY WERE A BIT WEIRD? ON THEIR PROFILE? IF YOU 40 TO THE BAR AND ASK FOR 'ANGELA' THE BAR STAFF WILL KNOW YOU NEED SOME HELP GETTING OUT OF YOUR SITUATION AND WILL (ALL YOU A TAXI OR HELP YOU OUT DIS(REETLY - WITHOUT TOO MU(H FUSS 24-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline: 703-237-0881 ![img-8.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-8.jpeg) ![img-9.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-9.jpeg) ![img-10.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-10.jpeg) ![img-11.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-11.jpeg) Arlington Victim Witness Program # Appendix I ## SoberRide Vehicle In 2016, the Arlington County Police Department began reviewing and considering nontraditional police responses in dealing with alcohol related harm. The development of the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) was introduced as a proactive program to provide best practices to restaurants that serve alcohol to reduce alcohol related harm. Driving while intoxicated, underage consumption of alcohol, and the prevalence of fake identifications have been long-term issues and require a new proactive approach. For many years, the Arlington County Police Department utilized the "Chooser Cruiser" vehicle in partnership with Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) to conduct outreach and promote the "Sober Ride" program. The "Chooser Cruiser" was decommissioned in the summer of 2017, providing the Department an opportunity to modify the approach for our outreach and education. The purpose of this vehicle is to promote alcohol education and awareness. The goal is to reduce alcohol related harm in the County such as underage drinking, use of fake identifications, and DUI. The Sober Ride vehicle is utilized during community events including the county fair, ACPD block party, high school proms, parades, special events, bar crawls, and in nightlife areas such as Clarendon or Shirlington. The "Sober Ride" logo is prominently displayed on the vehicle. Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) and Lyft have partnered on the Sober Ride vehicle and have their logos displayed on the vehicle. The vehicle selected is a 2004 BMW 330ci, which is a two-door sports car and is effective because it is not a commonly used police vehicle which draws public interest. The Sober Ride vehicle is part of a larger strategy to reduce alcohol related harm throughout the County. Branding and messaging are vital parts of promoting education and awareness. A vehicle that draws attention by the community keeps them interested in outreach initiatives from the Police Department. The effectiveness of this type of strategy is measured by the reduction of alcohol related harm and increased public awareness. On July 2, 2018, there was a public unveiling of the vehicle at a press conference with the leaders of the Arlington County Manager's Office, Arlington County Police Department, WRAP and Lyft. Media was invited to cover the event and the vehicle was promoted through social media platforms. # Appendix J From October 2017 - September 2018 WRAP and Lyft have provided 5,178 free rides to patrons which is a $111 \%$ increase from the year before. | SOBERRIDE® CAMPAIGN: | FY 2016 RIDERSHIP: | FY 2018 RIDERSHIP: | DIFFERENCE: | | :-- | :--: | :--: | :--: | | MEDIA SAMPLES: | | | | | - St. Patrick's Day | 250 | 982 - RECORD | $292 \%$ increase | | - Cinco de Mayo | 225 | 897 - RECORD | $298 \%$ increase | | - Independence Day | 103 | 746 - RECORD | $624 \%$ increase | | - Halloween | 412 | 715 - RECORD | $73 \%$ increase | | - Holiday | 1456 | 1838 | $26 \%$ increase | | - New Year's* | 580 | 1225 - RECORD | $111 \%$ increase | | *NYE \#s contained in preceding Holid | day totals. | | | | TOTAL: | 2446 | 5178 - RECORD | $111 \%$ increase | | (More than DOUBLING of ridership!) | | | | The ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit conducted seventeen (17) SoberRide outreach events between July-December 2018. Some of these include the DUI checkpoint, County Fair, and numerous special events (Rosslyn Jazz Fest, Columbia Pike Beer \& Wine Festival, Oktoberfest, etc.) As part of the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI), the ACPD Restaurant Liaison Unit conducted two (2) alcohol awareness events using the fatal vision goggles. The first was a St. Patrick's Day themed event where the patrons played beer pong wearing the "drunk goggles". The second was on Thanksgiving Eve and patrons were given a chance to make a hole-in-one on a putting green we built wearing the goggles. ![img-12.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-12.jpeg) # Appendix K ## WTO NEWS TRAFFIC WEATHER LISTEN the bar crawl. He didn't make a basket after putting on the drunken-vision goggles. ![img-13.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-13.jpeg) Police invited Clarendon Crawl attendees to their anti-drunken driving event, on N. 11 Street between N. Highland and N. Garfield Street, where the street was shut down to make room for a giant beer pong game. (WTOP/Kathy Stewart) # Appendix L ![img-14.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-14.jpeg) # Appendix M ![img-15.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-15.jpeg) # Appendix N ![img-16.jpeg](https://popdatasets.blob.core.windows.net/popdatasetmdimgs/19-02_arlington_county_va_restaurant_initiative/img-16.jpeg)