It was a face-to-face encounter similar to the coffee-shop scene in Michael Mann's Heat, in which the detective (Al Pacino) sits opposite the crook (Robert De Niro): The enemies politely threaten each other and vow to take the other down the next time they meet.

That was the analogy used Tuesday by civil trial attorney John Leighton, who promised a room full of nightclub, restaurant, hotel and bar employees and owners he would do just that -- take them down -- should they meet again.

It was part of a sobering message to the group gathered at the Palms Resort in South Beach for a daylong conference on violence and security in South Florida night spots.

They took notes and listened to a variety of speakers, including several veteran Miami Beach police officers, a former city of Miami Police Chief and experts who specialize in law enforcement and crime prevention.

At the end of the day, the message was clear: Don't think of security as an expense. Think of it as an investment. Have prevention strategies in place to decrease the risk of crime and maintain adequate lighting, alarms and video cameras -- that work.

Miami Beach Sgt. Thomas Lederman told club owners they should be aware of what happens in -- and around -- their clubs, while Miami Beach Sgt. Paul Marcus spoke about sexual assaults in the city.

Marcus cited statistics to bring the points home. He said police reports on sexual battery victims are all too familiar: The subject slips a drug into his victim's drink, then escorts her out of a club, bar or hotel. He takes her to a secluded place, where he sexually assaults her. The next morning, the victim can't remember what happened.

In order to help prevent those crimes, Marcus said club owners should train their staff to be more vigilant. For example, if a woman seems to be impaired and it appears she is being escorted or led out of a club or restaurant, a bouncer or worker should pull her aside to ask her basic questions, he said.

While cases involving date rape are difficult to investigate and to prosecute, police say, attorneys have an easier time filing civil lawsuits against owners for inadequate security.

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