While many local bar managers said bouncer training emphasizes verbal, non-violent resolution of disputes, some students have expressed concern about safety at downtown State College establishments.

Penn State student Salvador Peter Serrano, 21, died early Sunday morning following a fight in the 100 block of East Calder Way. Police said when they arrived, they found Serrano restrained by a bouncer from the All American Rathskeller, 108 S. Pugh St., but unresponsive.

Local bar owners and bouncers said they train and are taught to defuse situations involving patrons without violence.

Greg Haas (senior-marketing) has worked as a bouncer at Shandygaff Saloon, 212 E. College Ave., for about three months. "We are not allowed to hit or hold down a person whatsoever unless they are physically attacking us," Haas said.

Haas said he would never pursue a patron off the property.

"When they get to the bottom of the stairs and leave the platform, then we no longer are allowed to pursue them. We never leave the property," he said.

Bill Rock, general manager for Player's Nite Club, 112 W. College Ave., said the training program for employees, especially bouncers, is extensive. "We pride ourselves on the training," Rock said.

Rock said door staff must go to an orientation where they learn basic situational control skills. The bouncers then attend a bar code program, which involves the Tavern Association of State College, a local organization of downtown bars and restaurants working with police to increase patron safety.

"They go to a four-hour class that goes over expectations for patrons of the bar, how to defuse situations and how to look out for potential problems," he said. "They're taught to use diplomacy."

David Wells, director of operations for Dante's Restaurants Inc., which owns several downtown restaurants, bars and shops, said a bouncer's main responsibility is to the patron. "A bouncer's job is to protect the customers, not only from other people but from themselves as well," Well said. "Our training is basically that they need to solve a problem through talking about it, not fighting."

Elliott Fitzgibbons (senior-communications) said yesterday that he would be meeting with friends at the Shandygaff Saloon later in the night. He said after seeing a memorial to Serrano on Calder Way, he thought again about his plans but would still go out.

"Seeing it freaked me out," Fitzgibbons said. "I thought twice about going out, but I don't think most people will."

Joe Torrance (junior-labor and industrial relations) said he felt safe entering the Gingerbread Man, 130 Hiester St., last night. "From what I have seen, the bouncers are respectable. I didn't think twice about going out," Torrance said.

Sgt. John Wilson, of State College Police Department, said the role of the bouncer is greater than most people assume. "They know how to stop fake ID's and enforce security," Wilson said.

He added it is each bar's choice as to the role of their door staff.

"Each individual establishment decides how far they can go with their responsibilities," he said.

Local police do not get involved unless they are called to the bar, Wilson added.

Mike Kokos (junior-electrical engineering) said he thinks peoples' behavior at bars will change after the weekend incident. "I think people will be more cautious when they go to [bars] and be more aware of their surroundings and conduct," Kokos said.

Collegian Staff Writers Nicole Charsar and Carissa Pleiss contributed to this report.