Dallas Nonprofit Conducts De-Escalation Training for Nightclubs

DALLAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) Efforts are ongoing to improve the safety of Dallas nightlife venues.

Local non-profit organization 24HourDallas has run its first training aimed at de-escalating the typical fights you see in these settings.

They cooperate with the police of the city of Dallas and Dallas. This is the third in a series of citywide trainings under the Neighborhood Initiative.

The employees of dozens of local bars and restaurants have gathered in Fair Park for one reason.

“We’re trying to keep the area safe and make sure our customers are safe,” said Reno’s Chop Shop owner Steve Haldiman.

“Bars deal with violence all the time,” said Eric Dybing of Management of Violence Education (MOVE) training. “The question is, at what point do you stop it?”

Dibing said that if you identify this early and use intellectual skills and psychology, you will get the best result.

“Tell them that you are here to help them… and make sure they have a good time,” he said. “Make them feel like they are still important guests to us. This feeling of being disrespected comes as they walk towards the car where the gun is. I need to remove this.”

The Dallas Police Department adds that there should be a written de-escalation policy, require training, and document any incidents that occur.

“We always want our people when they come to Dallas, visit our entertainment venues, have a great time, have a safe time, and want to come back,” Deputy Chief Israel Herrera said. “Plans help bring down the escalation of crime and they really respond in a way that you know how things are going to play out.”

The participants said that this is valuable information that they plan to use right now.

“We are honored that they are making such an effort to improve the area,” said Haldiman. “When we work as a team, everything works out better.”