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Falmouth Raw Bar enforcement hearing continued after police reports of assaults and a firearm brandishing
Summary
Officers reported a series of incidents at the Falmouth Raw Bar, including an allegation that a firearm was brandished and a confrontation that led to multiple charges. The licensee presented steps including added security, lighting and camera improvements. The board continued the hearing to review further evidence.
The Falmouth Select Board continued a license-enforcement hearing for the Falmouth Raw Bar after the police department presented accounts of several troubling incidents, including at least one allegation that a firearm was brandished.
Detective Maguire and Sergeant Oliver told the board they have responded multiple times to disturbances in and near the Raw Bar on Scranton Avenue. Among the incidents recounted were a May 29 case where, according to police reports, an individual became violent with staff and security and then displayed what witnesses described as a firearm; the person later fled the scene and was identified through video and taken into custody. Another incident described by police involved a large individual who attempted to force his way into the bar and resisted officers; that episode resulted in charges including assault and resisting arrest.
Police said ABCC agents previously conducted compliance checks in early June and confiscated fake IDs at multiple establishments, including the Raw Bar. The department also documented multiple episodes of extremely intoxicated patrons who required medical evaluation and transport.
Attorney Rob Mills, representing the Raw Bar, and manager Mike Richardy answered questions and provided a written security and mitigation plan. Richardy said the venue currently staffs up to eight or nine security personnel on peak weekends, uses ID-scanning equipment, and has recently borrowed portable lighting to improve visibility in dark parking and pedestrian areas. He told the board the Raw Bar has tried to work with police and will continue to expand security measures.
"We take patron safety and staff safety seriously," Richardy said. "We need to continue to work together with the police department to find practical solutions, including better lighting and coordination for crowd dispersal."
The Select Board asked police to provide a clearer accounting of ABCC confiscations, the number of fake IDs documented, and body-camera footage for incidents where officers were injured or where assaults occurred. The board also asked the licensee to provide more detailed documentation of the new security deployment and video retention policies.
After discussion, the board voted to continue the Raw Bar hearing to a later date so it could review corroborating video and ABCC documentation and to give licensees and police time to work on the requested follow-ups.
Speakers quoted (first reference): Detective Maguire (SEG 2250), Sergeant Oliver (SEG 2197), Rob Mills (SEG 4107), Mike Richardy (SEG 4306).
