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Cooperating Tavern Program
University
of
Rhode Island
and Narragansett town officials recently announced that all package
store owners and many of the bar and night clubs in Narragansett have
signed cooperative agreements with URI’s Common Ground initiative to
promote responsible alcohol beverage services. The Narragansett-URI
Coalition actively supports the efforts of Common Ground and strongly
endorsees this recent initiative.
On October 12, 2005 several local
tavern and package store owners participated in a formal signing
ceremony at the Towers. They received a certificate of
appreciation from the University and signed a town-wide Cooperating
Agreement, representing all licensed liquor retail establishments in
Narragansett, committing themselves to Responsible Beverage Service
practices. At
the November 15 Coalition meeting three more establishments signed on.
In addition, South
Kingstown tavern and liquors stores have joined the program. On March
21, 2006, a similar signing ceremony was held at the Neighborhood
Guild in Peace Dale.
The Coalition will include in its
monthly meeting agenda the opportunity for all remaining
establishments to publicly sign the town-wide Cooperating Agreement
and will publicize this event on their website and in the “Coalition
Corner” in the local newspapers.
URI’s Common Ground Cooperating
Tavern Program calls on bar and tavern owners to train and work with
their employees to follow responsible beverage service practices,
including identification checks, confiscation of fake IDs, and
refusing sales to patrons who are intoxicated. The Cooperating Package
Store Program focuses on preventing illegal sales to customers under
age21 as well as adult purchases of alcohol for minors.
“All of the owners participating in the program will be posting a
sign in their storefront showing that their establishment is a member
in good standing,” said Fran Cohen, URI Dean of Students and
director of Common Ground. “The signs which state Responsible
Alcohol Beverage Service Practiced Here, will remind the public,
including URI students, that town and University officials are united
in our resolve to prevent alcohol problems in our community,” Cohen
explained.
“This effort clearly shows that our alcohol retailers genuinely care
about the health and well being of the people who live in and visit
our town,” said Narragansett Police Chief J. David Smith. “With
the Rhode Map partnership certificate, the message to the public is
clear: We are concerned about public safety, and our state’s alcohol
laws will be obeyed.”
The Coalition commends our local
businesses and encourages patronization of these establishments and
thanks them for their participation in this community-wide effort.
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