JPD calls for help in melee; Crowd fighting in restaurant parking lot

Wednesday, September 28. 2011
A Jefferson police officer had to call for backup from other police departments early Sunday morning after he was surrounded by a group of fighting males in the parking lot of a restaurant.

The officer was on foot in the parking lot of Harry and Fernando’s restaurant, the old “Bruce’s” on Hwy. 129 in Jefferson, when he was surrounded by 60 or more people with several men fighting.

The officer attempted to break up the fight and ended up “in the middle of these males fighting with me and each other.” He unholstered his service weapon and yelled for the crowd to clear the space around him.

Another officer from Jefferson was called to the scene and reported 250 people being in the parking lot. Back up officers from Commerce and Braselton police departments and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office were also called to help control the crowd. It took officers 20 minutes to clear the scene.

After the fight was cleared, officers were called to Scad Oaks Apartments in reference to men, possible the same ones from the business, fighting. When officers arrived at the apartment, many of the men ran from the scene. The property owner also arrived and assisted police in asking residents of the apartments to go inside their homes and others to leave the property.

No one was arrested in either incident, and no injuries were reported.
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#1 Tread61 on 09/28/11 at 12:03 PM [Reply]
I've only recently moved to the area, but had noticed at various times through-out the Summer that flyers would appear about activites at that restaurant. I can only hope that this is not a sign of things to come. Asking around the community many folks have expressed concerns about the lack of social activities/night life in the area for young adults. So called "melees" will definitely put an end to future endeavors.
#2 concerned taxpayer on 09/28/11 at 04:22 PM [Reply]
just a bunch of newly arrived illegals celebrating their ability to sneak into this country! more tacos, please!!
#2.1 by the way on 09/28/11 at 06:48 PM [Reply]
they were all black not hispanic/latino.
#3 wowzer on 09/28/11 at 11:59 PM [Reply]
shouldnt there have been security at the place if there was this many people gathered in one place.
#3.1 Dexter Sims on 09/29/11 at 09:57 AM [Reply]
Security was on duty. Just to set the record straight, this is the first incident of this type since Harry and Fernando's have been open for business. Because of the presence of security and the fine job of Officer Darren Mace who was on the scene when the incident took place, no one was hurt in the incident. However it is a shame that people from Jefferson and Commerce cannot attend a social gathering without having an altercation. Steps are being taken to insure that an incident of this type does not happen again. All involved parties in the incident will no longer be allowed at Harry's and Fernando's.
#3.1.1 just a observer from across on 09/29/11 at 07:32 PM [Reply]
Well put Mr. Sims. I must say I watch from across the street and the security do a good job. It also appears that the jpd are always patrolling through parking lot. I know and see officer Darrin Mace always walking on foot and never knowing where he parks his patrol car but he talks with us residents and asks us if we need anything. So I give the JPD and Chief Wirthmon kudos for being involved with our communities and telling his officers to patrol the areas of concern and to listen to us. I have never seen Harry and Fernando's have a situation that was harmful to our community here across the street or I would be a voice of concern and I do not even know the gentlemen that own the business or rent it whatever it is. On my last note of opinion there were alot of people in that parking lot that night that had bad intent and I can only say that I was thankful that we had the officers and security that stood up and gave protection where it was needed and and kept peace without prejudice and were very professional. I give Officer Mace a special thank you for being professional. Enough said..
#3.1.1.1 Chris Collins on 09/30/11 at 12:38 PM [Reply]
I guess since our property adjoins "the HOT SPOT;" we have a different perspective.
Since the establishment opened there has been an ongoing, weekly issue with thumping, booming bass emtiing from the business and the nonstop flow of vehicles in the parking lot which goes on until two a.m. every weekend! We have witnessed no less than 30 instances of both male and females urinating in public, mostly on MY property! We have observed numerous instances of what appeared to be both crack and marijuana usage and many apparent drug transactions. We have observed apparent acts of prostitution and sex acts in vehicles and openly in the parking lot. We have had drug suspects chased by JPD officers across our property. And this was not the first act of violence at the establishment. JPD officers responded to an affray in the parking lot just a few weeks back. We have a ten year old son who is kept awake by the noise and now we fear that the next act of violence will involve gun play. Also; the JPD officers who actually do patrol the business do so on their OWN initiative and NOT at the direction of ANY of their "superior" officers.
#3.1.1.1.1 Dexter Sims on 09/30/11 at 03:21 PM [Reply]
I don't know if sex acts or other criminal activity take place in the parking lot,I honestly can't say if it happens or not. But I will say if these acts are taking place as you say, take pictures, document the activity and take it to the city manager. He should be asked to look into it. As far as the booming music goes, Harry and Fernando's have only been issued one citation for noise, that was in the first month of operation. Since that time JPD officers have conducted noise checks and there has been no problem with the music. As far as the officers coming by, Chief Wirthman made a special trip to the area in August to see how things were going and received an update from Officer Mace concerning the business. The Chief instructed Officer Mace to give Harry and Fernando's the same attention that's giving to Mike's Down Under. I believe that for all citizens that have concerns about Harry and Fernando's, you should set up a meeting to meet with the owners of the business and see if some solutions can be reached that will be beneficial for all parties involved. Maybe some good will come from it.
#3.1.1.1.1.1 Chris Collins on 10/01/11 at 12:23 AM [Reply]
Actually; I have met with the City Manager, more than once. I'll tell you what, Dexter, you come sit in my living room onvmost nights that these acts, dj's, etc. come to perform and tell me there's no problem with noise! Also; you and I both know there has been problems with people urinating on my property so don't try that game with me. And, yes, the problems I've mentioned have been documented through dispatch and the JPD. I have gone through the open records process and have copies of the documentation for future reference. I had no problem with a restaurant but this situation is way out of line from what we were led to believe the business would be.
#3.1.1.2 one and only on 10/08/11 at 04:51 PM [Reply]
I just have to add that JPD Officer Mace and Deleon are just to of the officers employed that care more about the citizens of Jefferson. I can say that I sleep more peaceful when they are on shift due to them patroling the area and stopping real crime. I thank both of you from your work and dedication. On that note Officer Deleon is one of the most respected in our community along with Officer Mace..
#3.1.2 Heather Collins on 09/29/11 at 08:32 PM [Reply]
No disrespect Dexter, I'm sure the security is doing the job. However, where is the security when we're running the patrons off our property. (No less than 15 feet from our back door) Where is the security when patrons are having sex in plain view on hoods and back of vehicles?
There is more than just what's going on within the walls. Wouldn't it be a wise idea if people paying to get into this establishment NOT be allowed to walk out? But, then again, looks like all the security just hangs at the front door!
#3.1.2.1 concerned on 09/29/11 at 10:03 PM [Reply]
Oh my we have breaking news in jefferson. Every establishment is entitled to one mistake. Now we will keep an eye on this to see if they will be a round two.At least it wouldnt be about A Titan-size task or East Jackson hopes to fix.Come on is that really news.
#4 Michael McCarthy on 09/29/11 at 11:37 PM [Reply]
Sounds like some people living in free apartments with no jobs had nothing better to do than cause trouble. Cut them off. This is the price of feeding those who won't work.
#4.1 wtf did that boy just say? on 09/30/11 at 03:18 AM [Reply]
Just who the heck are you to be calling someone who doesn't work? Everyday I get up and go to work like I am about to do in 30 minutes. You act as if you are above everybody. Come over this direction and say that to some of us and you just mite not make it back home to get on your computer and say anything else. I may not have much but what I do have comes from hard work. My children are fed and they get good grades in school and just because I live in this immediate area doesn't mean I am a low life goverment loving thug and I don't appreciate that racist comment from someone like you.
#5 CHARLES FLETCHER on 09/30/11 at 07:58 AM [Reply]
Some of the comments in this forum would be funny if they were not so tragic! I work security and our hands have been so tied that we are no more than watchmen. Our job now is to observe only! The sue happy public have placed safety and secure feelings in the "toilet." Once a man with a badge was respected,now he is the object of scorn and contempt. The ethnic makeup of this crowd is inconsequintial, however the fact that they were causing trouble is not. I say "kudos" to the police officers that helped control this situation.
#5.1 Dexter Sims on 09/30/11 at 10:29 AM [Reply]
Well said Mr. Fletcher. The security officers at Harry and Fernando's are not allowed to put their hands on anyone due to a fear of a lawsuit. They are there to observe and hope that there presence will deter any trouble. We have a good working relationship with the officers from the Jefferson Police Department that come by and make random checks inside the building and throughout the parking lot area.
#6 residentialclub on 10/01/11 at 12:26 AM [Reply]
It's a club not a restaurant.
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