Chelsea police cite multiple violations after May 18 affray at Las Vegas restaurant; commission refers case to disciplinary hearing

Chelsea’s Licensing Commission on June 12 voted to refer a May 18 incident at Las Vegas restaurant, 388 Broadway, to a disciplinary hearing after Chelsea Police described video showing a crowd altercation and multiple alleged licensing violations.

Sergeant Star Chung of the Chelsea Police Department told the commission officers responded to a reported affray about 12:46 a.m. on May 18 and later reviewed video from the establishment. "A couple folks identified themselves as managers and owners and so on and so but the names that were provided did not match up with the paperwork," Chung said, and the department secured footage for follow-up.

Police said Officer Santiago reviewed the video and found segments between about 12:05 a.m. and 12:43 a.m. showing staff dancing while working, patrons being overserved and an intoxicated person with his head on the bar. Officer Santiago said the video also showed staff drinking while working and “inappropriate touching.” The department cited potential violations of Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) regulations, including rules on dancing (2.11), overserving (2.08), admitting intoxicated patrons (2.04), standards of conduct (2.12), on-duty consumption (2.09) and security-staff requirements (2.09a).

Chung also said establishment staff locked the door during the incident and did not call 911, explaining they were trying to protect patrons and staff. "They felt like it wasn't their duty to [call for police] for anything that was occurring right outside of the door," Chung said. Police told the commission the owners later provided video within 72 hours; officers requested more time to complete a fuller investigation and recommended a disciplinary hearing.

Chair Marty McAlpine asked for a motion, and the commission voted to move the matter to a disciplinary hearing at its next meeting. Commissioners did not vote on a penalty at the June 12 session; the referral means the commission will consider formal discipline after receiving a fuller police report and hearing testimony.

The police presentation identified specific operational concerns the commission may examine at the hearing: whether the licensed manager and listed owners on file matched those working that night; whether entertainment (a DJ or other live acts) was permitted under the license; staff and security compliance with Chelsea regulations; and whether surveillance footage was preserved and produced in a timely manner.

The department advised licensees that video should be preserved and provided promptly when requested; police said they had secured the footage in this case and would produce a full report later. The commission did not set discipline at the June 12 meeting and scheduled the disciplinary hearing for its next session.