News

ABC Board Implements CM Graham's Program to Reimburse Bars Hiring Police Officers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jason Yuckenberg
(202) 727-5820

Washington, DC: Due to the efforts of Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One), local businesses will now receive significant reimbursements for hiring police officers to enhance security at late night hours. This will mean more police at late night hours in entertainment areas such as Adams Morgan and U Street.

Last night, the Alcoholic Control Board unanimously voted for an emergency rule making to implement Councilmember Graham’s police reimbursable detail subsidy program. The subsidy can now be spent.

Terrance Brown was murdered at a nightclub on U Street on February 13, 2005. Almost two years later, in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 20, 2007, the young promising life of 17-year-old Taleshia Ford was abruptly taken at Smarta/Broadway, also in Ward One.

After the first tragedy, Graham authored a law that permitted establishments to hire officers to protect areas outside of bars. The law allows bars, independently or in a group, to hire extra officers when needed. The officers are not stationed inside but rather outside in the public area.

For example, the Adams Morgan Business Improvement District has used these reimbursable details successfully, but these officers are expensive. The hourly rates are almost twice what an officer makes patrolling establishments that don’t sell alcohol.

To help make the hiring of officers more affordable, Councilmember Graham authored $1 million in the 2008 budget to reimburse alcohol licensees up to 50% of the costs associated with the hiring of police officers.

The Brown and Ford tragedies highlight the continuing need for additional late-night police presence during the closing hours. This police reimbursable detail subsidy program will now provide financial help to businesses seeking to improve outside security.

“While most businesses provide a safe environment for their patrons,” said Graham, “closing time and intoxication are a particularly dangerous mix. Cost reimbursable police officers are one way that we can maintain public safety outside bars during those critical hours.”

This culminates a several year effort. In 2005, Councilmember Graham authored legislation establishing this program. Last year, in response to financial needs, Councilmember Graham authored this subsidy as part of the FY08 budget.

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