Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Nightlife topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Polk County officials seek funding for Safe Bars bystander training and marketing on Court Avenue
Summary
County staff proposed contracting with Safe Bars to create a train‑the‑trainer program for nightlife venues on Court Avenue, with a two‑day trainer course Sept. 26–27, a $6,500 training cost and a proposed $20,000–$38,000 marketing campaign; supervisors questioned sustainability and prior city policing commitments.
Polk County officials presented a plan to contract with Safe Bars, a nonprofit that runs train‑the‑trainer bystander‑intervention programs, and asked the Board of Supervisors to consider funding a related marketing campaign.
Sarah, the county presenter, said the proposal grew from a Responsible Hospitality Institute study recommending a focused sexual‑assault prevention campaign for Court Avenue after interviews and anecdotal reports of violence. "We will have 12 individuals who become trainers in this active bystander Intervention Program that can then go out on an ongoing and continual basis to train bar staff," Sarah said, describing a two‑day trainer session scheduled Sept. 26–27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grimaldi in West Des Moines.
The plan calls for a mix of participants from local institutions and businesses: Sarah said the county expects one trainee from the Health Department, about three from the crisis and advocacy team, one from the county attorney's office and lead staff from participating venues, including owners from Annie's and multiple staff from East Village bars represented by Sam Summers. Once trained, those 12 trainers would deliver shorter, roughly two‑hour sessions to venue staff on a recurring basis to address turnover.
Staff described accompanying PR and outreach: a press conference at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26, a logo and window stickers for certified venues, social media templates for participating bars and a paid media push that could include KCCI and digital channels. A staff representative said a TV commercial was scheduled to be shot the following week and would run from October through mid‑November, with a possible relaunch later.
Sarah gave cost estimates: $6,500 to bring two trainers to the two‑day session and a proposed marketing budget between $20,000 and $38,000. The presenter noted the timing of paid advertising could raise costs during election season and suggested a staggered approach with a heavier push in spring when nightlife activity rises.
A supervisor asked whether Des Moines had previously committed additional downtown law‑enforcement resources. A staff speaker said an earlier county contribution to cameras and security ended in June, that some rollover funds were spent, and that the city was planning to include a downtown police presence in its next budget, with the city now taking responsibility for much of the safety work the county had previously supported.
Board members raised concerns about sustainability given high turnover in hospitality staffing and whether venues would sign agreements to keep the program active. Sarah said county staff and the crisis and advocacy team would be trained to restart or support trainings where venue management turnover left gaps, and that the Safe Bars trainers would provide best practices and recommendations for agreements and follow‑up.
The update concluded with staff asking supervisors to consider Board funding to support the PR campaign and with a commitment to keep the Board posted on logistics and media outreach.
The Board did not record a formal vote in this segment; staff presented the proposal, discussed costs and timelines, and solicited the Board’s agreement to fund aspects of the campaign.
