At a press conference on Thursday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the launch of a new public safety initiative called “CURE” for "Coordinating a United Resolution with Establishments,” a program that aims to change the way the NYPD resolves issues and addresses complaints around nightlife entertainment venues and businesses.
"Today, we are changing the way we engage with nightlife establishments by opening direct lines of communication with local businesses and giving them a chance to correct issues before enforcement takes place,” Adams said.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban joined the mayor at the iconic Paragon Nightclub in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn for the announcement. Caban added that with CURE, the goal was to move nightlife oversight to one of service-- an engagement-first approach that aligns with Mayor Adams' "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery” plan.
Photo: BK Reader
Also joining the mayor and police commissioner at the conference was SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim, New York City Office of Nightlife Executive Director Jeffrey Garcia, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, a team of other local nightlife venue owners, and other local elected officials.
Under the former MARCH program, nightlife establishments – which include bars, restaurants, music venues, and dance clubs – could have faced unannounced, nighttime, multi-agency inspections or "marches" led by the NYPD, FDNY, DOB, Department of Environmental Protection, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or New York State Liquor Authority.
The new initiative will require a series of steps to be taken first at the precinct level, in coordination with the ONL, before inspections can be approved by the NYPD's Patrol Services Bureau, including in-person daytime visits, written documentation of incidents of concern, and in-person meetings between business owners and local precinct officials.
However, said the mayor, CURE will not limit NYPD from any necessary real-time response to address immediate public safety concerns. In fact, agencies that have previously participated in MARCH operations, such as the FDNY, DOB, DOHMH, DEP, and SLA will continue to maintain their regular independent inspection processes to maintain compliance and ensure safety.
In cases involving complaints from local residents, ONL's Mediating Establishment and Neighborhood Disputes NYC free mediation program will be engaged to help improve neighborhood relations through third-party mediation.
“New York City is the nightlife capital of the world, and this new initiative will help us protect public safety, ensure better quality of life, and keep business doors open for all to enjoy,” Adams said.
