INDUSTRY NEWS
Law Would Mandate Background Checks for Bouncers
Boston native Imette St. Guillen was only 24 years-old when she was last seen alive at a New York City bar. After disappearing, her body was found in Brooklyn last year after she had been raped, strangled and suffocated. Now, a bouncer with an extensive criminal history employed at the bar where St. Guillen spent the last hours of her life is being charged in her murder.
Spurred by St. Guillen's death and nearly 100 reports of bouncer on customer violence between 2004 and June 2006, the Boston City Council is considering "Imette's Law." Under the proposed law, all bouncers, doormen and floor staff of the city's bars, clubs and other establishments that serve alcohol would have to undergo a background check and undergo training on how to deal with problem patrons.
Though a specific timetable has not been set for a vote on the law, it is already drawing fire from the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. While the Association supports bouncer training and background checks, they are opposed to making such requirements mandatory, citing the prohibitive costs to smaller establishments.
Boston is not the only city focusing on patron safety through bouncer background screenings. New York City recently instituted a law requiring establishments to prove compliance with state law, which requires security personnel to undergo background checks, training and registration.
(Source: http://www.boston.com)
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