The Good Neighbor Initiative

The GNI is a comprehensive, community-based program that aims to create safer nights out. The program prioritizes safety at establishments that serve alcohol and draw on public safety resources. Voluntary accreditation programs such as Best Bar None in the U.K. and Canada and the Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) are successful because they identify staff and patron safety as the first and most crucial step to building safe and vibrant nightlife areas.

“The Copper Star Certification program encouraged me to look at how I operate my business from another perspective. It was important to acknowledge the need for setting clear guidelines for all aspects of safety and security from within as well as upholding standards necessary to be good members of our community.”

June Chow, Hello Dumpling East Dallas, LLC

Formal bar and restaurant accreditation models improve employment policies and practices that keep staff and patrons safe. With its focus on safety and well-being, the GNI program addresses the foundational concern of Dallas nightlife areas: providing safer nightlife districts for patrons to enjoy.

In early December 2021, 24HourDallas launched the GNI. Kelli Smith of the Dallas Morning News reported, “One of the initiative’s main pillars, called A Safe Night Out, concentrates on building communication and trust between businesses and city agencies through training and consultation. 24HourDallas partnered with Safe Night LLC, a national organization with expertise in reducing alcohol-related harm to businesses.” (Smith, 2021)

Quotes from the Dallas Morning News article (12/24/21):

• “The opportunity here is for the private sector to say, ‘Hey, let’s see what we can do,’ said Randall White, founder of 24HourDallas.”

• “Mastoras said 24HourDallas is heightening the initiative, and he believes many cities will follow its example.”

• “And that’s what’s very attractive here. There is a lot of potential. I am beyond excited for what is possible here.” - MPO Dimitrios Mastoras (Ret.), Safe Night

The six key components of the Good Neighbor Initiative are:

1. Copper Star Certification Program

The voluntary Copper Star Certification program is meant to help businesses, organizations, and establishments in the night-time economy. Participation in the program requires businesses to meet higher operational standards, implement employee policies, and participate in training to improve safety and reduce liability.

Night-time operators in Dallas achieve the Copper Star certification by earning points in the following sections:

• Safety & Well-Being – Policies, practices, and training that reduce the risk to staff and patrons from crime or injury.

• Internal Operations - Policies and procedures that reduce liability and give staff expectations.

• Community Relations - Practices that show businesses are considerate and invested neighbors

• Appeal & Attractiveness - Steps businesses take to be cleaner, more inclusive, and more attractive.

Impact of the Copper Star Certification

Since January 2022, the Copper Star Certification program has had the following impact in Dallas:

• 44 businesses completed the program representing 50 locations across Dallas.

• 96.4% of businesses surveyed would recommend the Copper Star Certification program to other business owners and operators.

• 4.5/5: the average score given by businesses surveyed on the value of the Copper Star Certification in promoting Dallas’ night-time economy.

• Free training includes active bystander intervention training, reducing human trafficking, and respect and inclusion.

• Top motivators for business owners’ participation included: Improved community status, exposure as a responsible operator, lower liability and legal risks, and $500 microgrants provided by 24HourDallas

The voluntary Copper Star Certification is successful because business owners understand the program and recognize its value. The high number of establishments that earned the Copper Star certification speaks to the commitment of the businesses in the City of Dallas and 24HourDallas Project Manager Bryan Tony.

What Business Owners are Saying About the Copper Star Certification:

“The program was a great experience for our management team. We were able to see what we are doing right today and what we need to improve on and implement.”

Adrian Verdin, Hospitality Alliance

“The Copper Star Certification program was great in pointing out areas of improvement for our training.”

Oscar Perdomo, The Men’s Club of Dallas

“The Copper Star Certification Program was a great program to make us look into and update what a lot of us typically take for granted: our employee handbooks.”

Jimmy Contreras, Taco Y Vino

“I thought the Copper Star Certification program was a great experience, and the certification in and of itself is very valuable to promoting the city's night time economy and safety.”

Paige Walters, Klyde Warren Park

“The certification was great. They asked a lot of questions that made us address policies we had in place and create policies for things we didn’t have in place.”

Antonio Everette, Sandaga813

“24Hour Dallas' desire is a safer, more vibrant night-time patron experience and through the Copper Star Certification Program, they are ensuring that our wonderful city's nightlife will flourish.”

Ted Whitehead, AT&T Performing Arts Center

“The Copper Star Certification process was very insightful and brought up some policies and safety practices that we needed to shine some more light on.”

Richard Butler, Silver City

“The mission of 24HourDallas's Copper Star Certification program is enviable and important in our city. It helped me get a handle on some of the organizational holes we missed during our initial company setup.”

Chad Montgomery, Civil Pour