Fights At Victory Grille Prompt Questions

DEDHAM, MA — Reports of fights and poor record keeping were a couple of the issued addressed by the selectmen last week during a liquor license violation hearing for Victory Grille.

The alleged violation relates to a Jan. 5 incident, which saw a people at the restaurant leave and get into a fight in the parking lot. The fight was the fourth since August, according to Selectman Michael Butler.

Butler also criticized the management and ownership of the restaurant for struggling to turn over documents relevant to the police investigation that followed.

“How long is your liquor compliance officer supposed to wait for information? This has really caused the police department to spin their wheels quite a bit. It’s not the right thing to do, especially for an establishment that had four fights since August,” he said. “In my 12 years on the board, I can’t remember another establishment which had four fights in six months.”

Kevin Hampe, an attorney for Victory Grille, said the restaurant will be installing a new security camera system to replace the current one which had been malfunctioning, cut back last call to 11:30 p.m. with everyone out of the building by 12:30 a.m., add a bar manager, purchase two new license scanners, and have a managed outside the entrance Thursday - Saturday check the licenses of anyone who looks under 35 years old.

Dedham Police Sgt. John Clements said it was true that there was frustration when it came to getting records, but he was encouraged by the improvements discussed. He also asked to have a manager outside the entrance on Sundays during NFL season.

The board voted to return to the issue June 12.

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