The most pressing topic discussed involved Old Trafford Inc., doing business as Paradise, located on Commonwealth Avenue. The board scrutinized a dangerous condition stemming from a mosh pit incident on April 18, 2024. Attorney Dennis Quy, representing Paradise, along with general manager Bill Gara, detailed the events leading up to the incident. According to Sergeant Nemus from the Boston Police Department, officers were dispatched to Paradise at approximately 9:49 PM after a report of an unknown incident. Upon arrival, they discovered one individual had been taken to the hospital with head injuries, while two others remained inside the venue.

Attorney Quy emphasized that Paradise does not have a designated mosh pit and that the venue is an open space typically used for standing room, which can lead to crowd behavior where individuals encroach upon the stage. Mr. Gara acknowledged the challenges in managing crowd behavior, especially when bands encourage audience engagement. He confirmed that security staff were present but noted the difficulty in controlling a large crowd with limited personnel. The board took the matter under advisement after reviewing the testimonies and police reports.

Another incident involved Witchcraft LLC, doing business as New England Wicked Craft Company, located on Salem Street. The establishment faced scrutiny over an assault and battery incident on May 10, 2024. Detective Walsh’s police report detailed a fight involving Timothy Yakobin and employee Edwin St. Louis. St. Louis attempted to remove Yakobin from the restaurant, leading to a physical altercation where St. Louis was punched, and a glass was thrown at him. The board noted the challenges in weighing the witness’s statement, as the witness was not present for questioning. General Manager Steve Basson provided context, describing how a group celebrating a birthday obstructed the main walkway, leading to the altercation.

The board also discussed an incident at Myn Corp, doing business as Dublin Pub, located at 7-9 Stoten Street in Dorchester. The incident on April 14, 2024, involved allegations of assault and battery, with a security guard using mace on two patrons and the presence of armed security without board approval. Sergeant Detective Amy DeVito and Detective Matthew Conley described a chaotic scene outside the Dublin Pub, with patrons reportedly pepper-sprayed by a security guard, Lillian Jaber. The board noted that Jaber used OC spray without proper authorization, leading to a commitment from the management to improve security measures, including installing new cameras.

Further discussion highlighted issues with a special event and entertainment license at an unnamed establishment, where an employee of a third-party security company deployed pepper spray during a confrontation. The board expressed concerns about the establishment’s adherence to previously requested security protocols, emphasizing the need for a revised security plan. The representative claimed that discussions had occurred and that revisions would be sent soon. The board reiterated the importance of policies on video retention, staff training, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and oversight of third-party security contractors.

Another notable topic involved Lower Mills Tavern, which faced charges of serving alcohol to a person under 21 years of age on June 1, 2024. Detective Hernandez presented the police report, revealing that two young-looking patrons were consuming alcoholic beverages without being asked for identification. The tavern’s management expressed regret over the incident and assured the board of corrective measures, including retraining staff on identification checks and alcohol service protocols. The board emphasized the need for strict adherence to identification checks to prevent underage drinking violations.

The board also addressed an incident involving ZAA KFL LLC, doing business as Bilas Columbia, which faced allegations of a bottle service violation on May 2, 2024. Patrons were reportedly observed pouring their own drinks, and an employee was seen consuming alcohol while on duty. Attorney Tyler Hensler represented the establishment, noting that the server involved had been newly hired and had acted inappropriately. The board expressed concerns about understanding the rules surrounding bottle service and took the matter under advisement.

Additionally, the board reviewed a serious matter involving Causeway Union LLC, where an alleged assault and battery occurred on June 13, 2024. Detective William Gallagher described surveillance footage depicting an altercation involving the manager, Mr. Rajie Pine, and a female patron. Testimonies from both Mr. Pine and the patron suggested the altercation was a misunderstanding, with Mr. Pine asserting that his actions were motivated by a desire to prevent the patron from making poor decisions while intoxicated.