Encore brawls a serious matter
A recent spate of early morning brawls at the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett must be taken seriously. This is the first real test of the state Gaming Commission since the opening of the new resort.
As the Herald’s Marie Szaniszlo reported, two people were arrested on a variety of assault charges, a third person will be summonsed, and a fourth was so intoxicated that police took him into protective custody when he kept bellowing at the brawlers as they were escorted off the grounds, state police said.
The trouble started just after 2 a.m. as patrons left a nightclub called Memoire. A fight broke out, forcing troopers and officers to call for backup. Help came from Medford, Revere and Everett, and Shani Mohamed Abo, 29, of Everett was charged with assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
A second fight then broke out in the hotel’s main lobby among a large group of people at around 2:15 a.m. Herby Charmant, 25, of Lynn was charged with indecent assault and battery, assault and battery, lewd and lascivious behavior and disorderly conduct.
Moments later, a third melee was underway on the gaming floor. Troopers dispersed a group of people. A 26-year-old Lynn man will be summonsed to court on an assault and battery charge. Then, at about 3 a.m., police took a “highly intoxicated” 32-year-old Lynn man into protective custody because he kept yelling at people who were being escorted off the property.
It is crucial that the Gaming Commission be proactive in addressing these incidents. Transparency is vital and that includes providing information about any and all Encore-related drunken driving arrests and other incidents.
Additionally, we must know if the extended 4 a.m. last-call for casino patrons played a role in the incidents.
Further, the commission must weigh the fact that public transportation was unavailable at the time of the fights and determine who, if anyone, among the inebriated intended to operate a motor vehicle. Along those lines, will MBTA repairs affect such transportation in the future and how will Encore handle this?
Apart from the Gaming Commission, it is also important that the city of Everett apply the same standard for public safety to the casino as they would every other business.
The state must also ensure that adequate resources are in position in case similar events unfold in the future.