By FireRescue1 Staff
PHOENIX — Five strip club owners are professionally training their bouncers and staff to ensure safety after a firefighter was beaten to death.
AZ Central reported that although state law does not yet require such training, a new ownership group at Centerfolds Cabaret, along with Hi-Lighter Gentlemen’s Club, Bandaids Show Lounge, Essex Gentlemen’s Club and the Candy Store are working with a consultant to train their employees.
Nightclub Security Consultants CEO Robert Smith said around 40 employees are being trained.
“I was a police officer for 20 years,” Smith said. “I started this company while I was a police officer. There is absolutely no reason and no logical excuse that a bouncer within any state shouldn’t have some mandate for training.”
The training comes after firefighter Luke Jones was beaten to death by a strip club bouncer. Jones’ wife pushed for legislation with a petition called “Luke’s Law” that would require training and stricter regulations for nightclub bouncers.
“Luke’s Law can help this industry be safer,” Smith said. “Most guests come and have a great time. But that 1 percent of guests that will come in and get overintoxicated, get in an argument, it’s gonna happen. When it does happen, let’s help that guest go home safely.”