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May 10, 2006

2nd ordinance sets new regulations concerning nightclub security personnel

Approximately 80 retail liquor license holders will come to Woodbridge Council Chambers Thursday to learn the ABCs of ABC – as in the latest regulations issued by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Mayor Frank G. Pelzman has announced that the first orientation seminar for Woodbridge Township liquor licensees is set for May 11 at 10 a.m. New Jersey Deputy Attorney General Jose Rodriguez will be the keynote speaker.

The seminar is coordinated by the Municipal Clerk’s Office in conjunction with the Township Police Department and Law Department. It is the first such seminar in Woodbridge since the Township Council passed an ordinance in December mandating liquor licensees attend an annual education program offered by the Township. The ordinance applies to all holders of retail consumption and retail distribution licenses.

Objectives of the ABC education program include preventing illegal alcohol service to minors, recognizing fake IDs, reducing the likelihood of drinkers becoming intoxicated and preventing those who are intoxicated from harming themselves or others.

“This is a serious public health and safety issue we will continue to address,” says Mayor Pelzman. “Even the most basic education programs have been shown to reap significant benefits in reducing alcohol-related accidents and fatalities.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a server training program has the potential to lower nighttime DUI crashes by 17%.

Mayor Pelzman believes another new Township ordinance passed last year that regulates on-site security will further prevent ABC-related problems. “This ordinance requires an increase in security personnel at Township liquor establishments that charge a patron admission fee, or where live entertainment is presented to an audience of more than 100 patrons at any given time.”

The ordinance stipulates that a venue have one uniformed security person at each entry door and one uniformed security person for each 50 patrons. Security people cannot be bartenders or servers, nor can they perform any duties other than security.

Councilman James Carroll, who sponsored the security ordinance, says the education program will help retail liquor establishments better understand their responsibilities. “These are proactive measures designed to avoid problems with ABC violations before they occur.”

Another goal of the educational program, says Mayor Pelzman, is to increase the license holder’s awareness of quality of life issues that affect their residential neighbors. “We want to help these businesses remain good neighbors and good businesses for the community. The new ordinances will benefit everyone.”

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