Tempe Introduces Landmark Drink-Spiking Ordinance with Public Safety Initiative
In a pioneering move, Tempe has become the first city in Arizona to implement a drink-spiking ordinance. This weekend, city officials are emphasizing this initiative by distributing detection kits along Mill Avenue.
Tempe Councilmember Randy Keating emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding the availability of these testing kits. “So we want to make sure that people see this as a resource because if no one uses it, we’re not actually increasing public safety. So we want to make sure that the public is well informed of the availability of these testing kits and where they can get them and how they can get them,” Keating stated.
The city is extending its efforts to Arizona State University (ASU), where students are resuming classes for the fall semester. Keating highlighted that the initiative is a comprehensive approach to ensure both new students and long-term residents recognize Tempe’s leadership in nightlife safety across the Valley. “So it’s kind of an all-hands effort to make sure that the incoming class knows and people that live in Tempe that maybe lived here for decades know that this is a new thing that Tempe is leading the way on nightlife safety in the Valley,” he added.
Additionally, Tempe will be conducting checks to ensure local businesses adhere to the newly established ordinance.
Read the ordinance:
