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NEW YORK (CBSNew York) – There is additional security Friday at Carmine’s on the Upper West Side, a day after a hostess was attacked by a group of tourists.
Police said they refused to show proof of vaccination in order to eat inside.
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As CBS2’s Kevin Rincon reports, vaccination checks are underway at the restaurant’s door after the three tourists from Texas assaulted a 24-year-old hostess.
The NYPD said the hostess was punched, slapped and her collar ripped off after asking the group for proof of vaccination, a new city policy to dine inside.
People needed to be physically removed as they nearly knocked over the hostess stand.
“It turned into a mess. And from there it’s inexcusable, ridiculous, ”Carmine owner Jeff Banks said. “We always identify 21-year-olds at the bar. We did training weeks before that on law enforcement.
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Carmine’s owner said the 24-year-old hostess had just started working there a few weeks ago.
“Our employee, fortunately, is safe at the moment. She’s extremely shaken up, ”Banks said. “Two other people had minor problems.”
“I saw her scratched her neck,” added one chef.
Banks said the hostess was home recovering.
Two other workers who were trying to help end the brawl were slightly injured.
People who dine inside and out say the rules are the rules.
COVID VACCINE
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“We think this is a great policy to protect the servers and the people who have to work and manage this. I think it’s great that they require proof of vaccination and I think it’s dreadful that they assaulted someone because they needed proof, ”said diner Sophia Burnal of ‘Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“I don’t think people should be personally attacked for others who are fighting the vaccine,” said Upper West Side resident Kianna Thompson.
The three women, a 49-year-old woman, a 44-year-old woman and her 21-year-old daughter were taken into police custody, issued an appearance ticket and were released.
“A physical fight with a person doing their job is not OK,” said one person.
“I’d rather protect you from someone attacking you, but certainly not violence,” said Upper West Side resident Elyse Stone.
Meanwhile, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has said the penalties need to be tougher.
“Don’t attack restaurant workers who are doing their job to keep us safe. I can’t believe this has happened here, ”she said. “We need to increase the fines, if that’s the right thing to do.”
Until now, it was up to restaurants and other establishments to enforce COVID rules. The city has carried out inspections. This week, they’ve been to thousands of places with almost half of those checks ending in warnings, but no fines.
The New York City Hospitality Alliance released a statement, which read in part:
“It is a shocking and tragic situation when one of our valued employees is assaulted for doing their job – as city policies require – and trying to make a living. Our goal right now is to take care of our employee and the rest of our restaurant family. We are a family style restaurant, and this is the absolute last experience that one of our employees should have and that any customer will witness.
Banks says he has no choice but to pay for security in order to monitor the main entrance to ensure the safety of his staff.
Restaurateurs who do not comply with the mandate face fines starting from $ 1,000. The city has offered training to restaurant workers on how to deal with unruly customers, but many say they need more help.
A court date for the three women is set for October.
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Kevin Rincon and Natalie Duddridge contributed to this report. Editor’s Note: This story was first published on September 17th.
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