Chaos On 'Nautical Mile' Following 50 Cent Show Could Be Costly For Freeport Restaurant
FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There was chaos outside of a restaurant in Freeport over the weekend, following a pop-up concert by rapper 50 Cent.
Fights broke out along the village's famed 'Nautical Mile' and two officers were injured trying to restore order.
As TV 10/55's Long Island Bureau Chief Richard Rose reported, surveillance cameras captured some of the brawls that erupted Saturday night in Freeport, several hours after rapper 50 Cent had performed inside a restaurant.
Some of the brawls spilled out onto the Nautical Mile causing chaos for neighboring businesses.
"We heard about this event happening, so we tripled our security anticipating what could happen," Ilona Jagnow, owner, Otto's Sea Grill said.
Neighboring restaurant owner Ilona Jagnow said those who were fighting tore down planters and palm trees outside of her business, as dozens of officers struggled to control the unruly crowd.
"The bouncers were yelling 'get down, get down' they didn't know what was happening. A policeman was being chased down the street by a bad guy. It was mayhem, it was chaos," Jagnow said.
Two officer were slightly injured after they were pelted by beer bottles and other debris.
"We had 18-police officers assigned just for this event," Freeport Police Chief Miguel Bermudez said.
Village officials insisted they were well prepared for possible mischief. They did not blame 50 Cent for the chaos, pointing out it occurred hours after the rapper had already left. They said beforehand, the owners of the restaurant claimed he would only appear as part of a liquor endorsement.
"The police department confirmed that there would be no performance planned or scheduled for that night," Mayor Robert Kennedy (D) said.
Police said some of the debris was thrown from inside Bracco's restaurant and that a report is being filed with the state liquor authority against the restaurant.
"Once a place becomes a focus of attention of police activity that ups the ante," Chief Bermudez said.
The chief said it will be up to the state whether to pull Bracco's liquor license. The owner would not comment.
Freeport police made three arrests, and said more are possible as they review numerous surveillance videos.
