The Black Lobster to Present Revamped Security Plan Tonight

A representative of The Black Lobster is slated to appear before the Salem Licensing Board tonight to present a detailed plan for dealing with situations similar to a brawl that broke out in front of the restaurant in November, according to the posted agenda.

After handing down a two-day liquor license suspension at the board's last meeting, Chairman Bob St. Pierre told Black Lobster general manager Pete Kastrinakis and manager Stephen Damiano that he expected them to return with a plan for dealing with similar confrontations in the future.

At a meeting earlier this month, Salem police officers Joshua Gerard and Roberson Troncoso testified that at 12:55 a.m. on Nov. 28, they responded to a report of a large fight outside of the Bridge Street restaurant and found a crowd of between 50 and 75 people watching two men fighting in the parking lot.

While members of the unruly crowd called them names, touched them and interfered with their efforts, Gerard said he and Troncoso struggled with the combatants while waiting for backup to arrive - all nine officers who were on duty that night responded to the incident. 

Troncoso, who suffered a thumb injury while making an arrest, described it as "a scary night." 

Once backup arrived, London Burton, 21, of 7 Central St., Beverly, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. William J. Keenan, 24, of 82 Webb St., Salem, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and assault and battery. Matthew N. Pereira, 21, of 64 Butler St., Salem, was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.

"You saw two officers were out there on the ground and I think your staff should have at least gone out there to help hold back the crowd so that they could do their job," St. Pierre said. "I'm not suggesting you get out there and roll around with them...but someone should have been out there to keep people off of their backs." 

Salem Patch will post updates from tonight's meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the City Hall Annex on Washington Street.