Local bars take measures to prevent violence

After a mass shooting took the lives of 13 people in a California bar Thursday, one local bar explained the preventative measures they take to keep their business safe.

Sage & Sands Cocktail Lounge owner Mary Kaffer has run one of the smallest bars in Yuma for 19 years.

Kaffer said does not staff her bar with security guards regularly but instead focuses on security cameras and well trained.

“My bartenders are very vigilant as I’ve said before that’s a real key in monitoring your customer and all our bartenders know what to look for,” said Kaffer. “Being small enough, we have a good visual overview of what’s going on between the two doors and on the floor. So that’s an asset for us.”

Kaffer added she typically de-escalates situations and asks guests to leave when an issue arises.

She said she has only had to call Yuma Police once every couple of months.