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.

22 businesses have already completed the program. The application deadline for the upcoming cohort training schedule is Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

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 (LBS) 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

The training sessions are offered in partnership with the Department of Public Health, Department of Licenses & Inspections, 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 p.m.
  • 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.
  • Be committed to having at least 60 percent of management staff and/or ownership complete the training provided by the City of Philadelphia during the 2-month certification period.

Cohort dates and schedule

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

Current Cohort Training Schedule:

    • Monday, April 28, 2025

Note: Additional cohort dates will be added after this current cohort is completed.

Time per date: 9 AM – 3:30 PM

Participants are required to complete all six training courses in a single day on the designated Monday of training. Full attendance is mandatory for certification. Certification is valid for three years, after which businesses seeking recertification must complete refresher courses covering previously learned material and any new relevant content.

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. 
  • Identification of Liberty Bell Safe Certification for businesses on Visit Philadelphia’s website visitphilly.com

The Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program helps advance a safer, more inclusive and creative nighttime economy in Philadelphia. Questions? Email to Emeka.Anusionwu@phila.gov.

Apply for the Liberty Bell Safe Certification Program