The Pacific Beach Hospitality Group, a sub-committee of Discover Pacific Beach, will be holding an intense self defense training class for staff focused on issues that might be faced as a hospitality worker on Nov 19 and 20 at Moonshine Beach, 1165 Garnet Ave.
“We have an active nighttime economy here in Pacific Beach that includes a population of workers we call the other 9- to-5ers, who are getting off work when amenities like public transportation and lighting are no longer available,” said Sara Berns, executive director of Discover Pacific Beach.
“It’s estimated we have more than 4,000 workers in our hotels, restaurants and entertainment establishments here in PB and many of them are local as well.” The class is designed to provide tools to empower and defend themselves in situations they may find themselves in at these times. 
Employee and customer interaction, relations, and safety are a growing and important concern in the hospitality industry, perhaps more so than many other industries. Not only can employee and customer safety impact a business’ bottom line, but there are legal and financial ramifications as well. Providing proper training for hospitality employees on how to deal with issues such as harassment, leadership and communication is important to ensure both employees and customers are provided a safe and welcoming atmosphere with which to work, and to enjoy themselves. The class will be taught by Impact Personal Safety, a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to end the cycle of violence. Their goal is to empower individuals to make effective personal safety choices. In an emotionally supportive environment, participants will practice both verbal and physical skills with a fully padded mock assailant. Training includes verbal self-defense strategies practiced in role playing scenarios in a variety of contexts — dealing with strangers and people you know
For more information on Impact Personal Safety, contact Lisa Gaeta at [email protected]. For more information, contact Berns, at 858-273-3303.