A central topic of discussion was the ongoing security and financial challenges faced by the Oceanside Event Center. The establishment raised concerns about the cost of maintaining security measures, particularly the requirement for police and fire department presence during events. A representative from the venue highlighted the financial burden, noting an annual property tax of $95,000 and the financial strain from canceled events due to low ticket sales. They proposed reducing the number of police detail officers for smaller events, arguing that the current requirements were excessive. This suggestion met resistance from a police department lieutenant, who stressed the necessity of maintaining the current security levels for effective crowd control, especially during peak hours and busy summer events.

The conversation also touched on the complications arising from the venue’s parking arrangements, as the adjacent lot is owned by the MBTA. The representative expressed frustration over having to pay a detail officer to monitor the lot, which they deemed unfair. The lieutenant countered by emphasizing past issues with crowd management and reiterated the importance of the current arrangements for public safety. The fire department’s deputy chief weighed in, noting that the venue had been behind on crowd management certifications and emphasized the necessity of maintaining a fire detail presence during events.

In a related matter, the commission addressed security issues at The Squire, another local establishment, due to its failure to provide adequate security, as evidenced by a recent robbery in its parking lot. The commission scrutinized the establishment’s security plan, which lacked specificity and real-time accountability. Concerns were raised about the lack of immediate intervention during incidents of violence, despite the presence of security personnel. The commission considered implementing corrective measures such as suspending The Squire’s entertainment license for 60 days or reducing operating hours to midnight. Ultimately, the commission proposed a six-month probationary period to monitor the effectiveness of the establishment’s security measures.

In another case, Lupita’s on Shirley Avenue faced scrutiny for a reported incident involving patrons consuming alcohol past the licensed cutoff time. The commission criticized the lack of a detail officer on a busy Sunday night and stressed the importance of adhering to agreed-upon protocols. The representative for Lupita’s acknowledged the oversight and explained that patrons were not leaving intoxicated but were merely finishing their drinks before closing. The discussion revealed discrepancies between police reports and the establishment’s account, leading the commission to propose a 90-day probationary period with a requirement for a detail officer during anticipated busy nights.

The commission also reviewed several applications for new licenses. Tulum Takaria, Inc. sought an all-alcohol restaurant license to enhance its outdoor seating capacity and serve cocktails to attract summer patrons. The applicant emphasized the need for this license to recover from a challenging winter and proposed employing security on peak days. The commission approved the application, noting no opposition to the request.

Additionally, Twisted Fate Brewing received approval for a farmer brewery pouring permit, a common victualer license, and an entertainment license on Salt Street. The approval allowed them to serve beer produced at their primary location in Danvers, with minimal on-site brewing for show. The commission found the application in order, and no opponents were present.

Applications for one-day common victual and entertainment licenses were also approved for events hosted by the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects and the Revere Arabic Community, both celebrating Eid with community activities in June. The commission noted no opposition to these requests and swiftly granted approval.