Apply for the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program

Great news! The Department of Commerce launched the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program, a free specialized initiative that equips businesses with best practices to elevate the nighttime safety of patrons and employees. 6 businesses already the training and yours could be next.

The public safety trainings offered through the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program will provide participants with prevention and intervention skills to navigate situations that businesses operating at night commonly experience.

Safety trainings for businesses

The selected businesses will attend the following six training sessions to be designated as a Liberty Bell Safe certified business in Philadelphia:

• Harm Reduction Training
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
• Conflict Resolution Training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
• Active Shooter Awareness Training
• Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Training
• Dept of Public Health: Harm Reduction

The training sessions are offered in partnership with the Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Police Department, and WOAR Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence.

Eligibility Criteria 

Eligible businesses must:

• Be located in Philadelphia.
• Be in operation for at least one year prior to participating in the LBS program.
• Be open to the public and operating after 5 PM.
• Be registered as a for-profit entity with the City of Philadelphia.
• Have Philadelphia Business Income and Receipts Tax Number (BIRT) and Commercial Activity License (CAL), through the City of Philadelphia.
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes (or on an approved payment plan or in the process of getting on an approved payment plan).
• Have all required federal, state, and local licenses and permits to legally operate.
• Commit to having 60 percent of management staff and/or ownership complete the following 6 trainings provided by the City of Philadelphia during the 2-month certification period.

Cohort dates and schedule

The following cohort training dates are available for selected business participants:

Cohort Training Schedule:

• Monday, September 23, 2024
• Saturday, September 28, 2024
• Monday, September 30, 2024
• Saturday, October 5, 2024

Time per date: 9 AM - 3:30 PM

Participants may opt to complete all six training courses in one day or divide the sessions into two days: three sources on Monday and the remaining on Saturday. Participants must complete all sessions within the two-month certification period. Certification lasts for three years. After the 3-year mark, businesses seeking recertification must complete refresher courses covering the previous learned material and any new relevant coursework.

Program Benefits

Businesses that complete the 6 required trainings during the certification period will receive the following benefits:

• Recognition as Liberty Bell Safe Certified business with the City of Philadelphia.
• $500 marketing grant from the Department of Commerce to elevate customer outreach as a Liberty Bell Safe business in Philadelphia.
• Decal to place in front or inside the businesses showcasing certification status.
• Placement on Visit Philly's priority business directories and listings online.
• Placement on Philadelphia Visitors & Convention Bureau priority listing for convention and conferences.

The Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program helps advance a safe, inclusive and creative nighttime economy in Philadelphia. Questions? Email to[email protected].

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