Lynn bar license suspended after lobster trap assault

LYNN – The city’s License Commission has imposed a 15-day license suspension on the Sand Bar at 741 Washington St. following a disciplinary hearing at which a patron testified the owner attacked him with a lobster trap.License Commission Chairman Richard Coppinger said the board did not focus on the criminal charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a lobster pot, but looked instead at how the establishment violated local ordinances.According to Coppinger, the bar owner, Christopher Brown, received the license suspension for failure to summon police, failure to summon medical aid and for lack of management and control of the premises.The charges stem from an April 4 incident when Brown allegedly assaulted patron Eric Smith in the parking lot of the nautically-themed establishment. The men argued over the bar closing time and at some point Brown allegedly picked up a lobster trap and smashed it over Smith’s head, Coppinger said.The lobster pot was among the many nautical items such as ropes and buoys that decorate the exterior of the bar and the parking lot fence.At a hearing Tuesday before the board, Smith testified he was assaulted by Smith who left him bloodied and did not call for help. Smith suffered cuts and bruises and required stitches. He was taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital.Smith’s injuries were documented in photographs presented to the board by Police Sgt. Richard Carrow, head of the department’s Special Investigations Unit.”Mr. Smith testified at the hearing that he was assaulted by Mr. Brown,” said Coppinger. “Sgt. Carrow followed up the matter and determined there was enough evidence to charge Mr. Brown with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the lobster pot.”The criminal case is in process at Lynn District Court.”At this point, we have to focus on the action of the establishment, not the alleged crime. The 15-day suspension is effective July 3, based on Mr. Brown’s failure to summon police and medical help and for his lack of management and control,” Coppinger said. “If Mr. Brown is found guilty in the criminal case, then we will revisit this matter and conduct another hearing, at which time he could be subject to revocation of his license for his actions.”The License Commission also conducted a disciplinary hearing this week for Cesar’s Place, 39-41 Buffum St., based on allegations of overcrowding June 5 and June 12. Both overcrowding situations were discovered at 12:30 a.m. on the respective dates, according to police.Carrow and the SIU officers blocked all entrances and exits and used a clicker to count the number of patrons on each occasion. Coppinger said the establishment, owned by Caroliz Betances Diaz, has a licensed capacity of 85.”On June 5 the police counted 145 people and on June 12 there were 120 people inside,” he said. “We rolled back their hours from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. until we can resume the hearing in July.”As a result of the hearing, Cesar’s Place stands charged with two counts of overcrowding and one count of lack of management and control. The establishment may also face charges of failing to notify the city of the presence of a private security firm, Coppinger said.On the two nights in question, Cesar’s Place was operated by a promoter who brought in a private security firm. Police found some patrons were under age 21. Although those patrons had been issued plastic wrist bands to identify them as minors, some apparently cut off the bracelets after entering.”The owner could face charges of failing to register a promoter and possibly for serving alcohol to minors,” Coppinger said.