Salem Board to Discuss 'Brawl' Outside The Black Lobster

The Salem Licensing Board is scheduled to sit down with a representative of The Black Lobster tonight to discuss the status of the restaurant's liquor license and a recent brawl outside of the business.

At a meeting last month, board members voted not to renew The Black Lobster's liquor license and instead approved a motion to renew the license only if the restaurant paid the $25,000 it owed the city in back taxes before the end of the year.

Following the vote, Det. Sgt. James Page also noted that he'd like to speak to the owner about an active police investigation into a complaint regarding "illegalities on the premises."

Page said the complaint stems from a reported brawl outside of the restaurant in the early-morning hours on Nov. 28. 

At 12:56 a.m., police responding to a report of a large fight outside of the restaurant reportedly found a crowd of between 50 and 75 people watching two men fight in the parking lot.

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.

A Salem police officer was injured making an arrest during the incident and was out of work for four days, Page said.

Salem Patch will post additional information as it becomes available.