Law firms debate safety, security concerns at future Dave & Busters site
Victor Guzman
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — New stores coming to the Northridge Mall are sparking excitement among people on the Central Coast, but some law firms are debating safety and security of the new Dave & Busters.
The Salinas Planning Commission is scheduled to hear about the new site during a meeting on September 3rd. Including an appeal filed by the law firm Cox, Castle and Nicholson.
CC&N represents a large chunk of the Northridge Mall and Steerpoint Capital, which owns a portion that includes Round One entertainment. The Sears property, however, is owned by Ethan Conrad Properties.
The firm argues bringing a Dave & Busters would increase crime around the old Sears building and in neighborhoods around that part of the mall.
In a statement to the planning commission, the firm says in part “Concern over the Project’s operation is not speculative. With its appeal, Steerpoint submitted evidence of numerous instances of violent behavior at Dave & Buster’s – murders, shootings, stabbings, assaults, robberies.”
The firm also emphasized the project is detrimental to public health, safety and welfare. Citing a number of violent incidents at Dave & Buster locations in Washington D.C and in Times Square in New York City among others.
Another law firm, however, is denying those claims and is supportive of the new Dave & Busters location.
Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson says Salinas Police is working closely with the mall and Dave & Busters company to insure safety at the new site by providing new security measures in and around the venue.
SS&J represents the applicant, Dave & Busters.
Some of which involves new lighting outside of the old Sears building, but also includes a video surveillance system that police would have access to in case of an incident.
Armed Security would also be provided by Maddison Group, which also helps with security at other Dave & Busters locations.
The statement from SS&J also says safety and awareness trainings for staff will be conducted in conjunction with Salinas Police.
“To cast aspersions on Dave & Buster’s for these events is both unfair and misplaced. Further it is unfair to compare those incidents and locations to Salinas. Salinas does not suffer from the same general community challenges as does Times Square in New York City,” says SS&J.
SS&J also argues staff at these locations responded “swiftly.”
In a letter from Salinas Police Sgt Gerardo Magana to City Senior Planner Tom Wiles, the SPD acknowledges while there may be an increase for Police services once D&B arrives, they do not object to the business being placed there.
They ask the company to follow a number of conditions, including some of the elements referenced earlier about video surveillance and lightning, but also include posting “No Trespassing signs” and stopping the sale of alcohol by no later than 2 a.m.
The letter also states an armed security officer should be on site from 5 p.m. to closing on Fridays and Saturdays and a second officer available from midnight to closing within the same dates.
Documents related to the topic scheduled for September 3rd are available by clicking here
Leases signed for Dave & Busters, Burlington and other businesses at former Northridge Mall Sears building
Staff at Ethan Conrad Properties confirms to KION multiple new businesses are taking over the former Sears building, including a new Dave & Busters.
Floor plans on the company’s website also show plans for a Burlington, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Gohan Buffet.
Ethan Conrad Properties confirms the leases for those businesses plus the Dave & Busters have all been signed and remodeling is underway.
Plans for First Floor of former Sears building (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)
Exterior images of businesses coming to Northridge Mall (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)
Exterior image of businesses coming to Northidge Mall (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)
Plans for Second Floor of Former Sears building (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)
The company said the Dave & Busters is listed on the floor plan for the Second Floor of the former Sears building.
Floor plans for the first floor also indicate plans for a “Smash n’ Axe,” but it’s not listed as having a lease signed.
Northridge Mall said despite the opening of the Dave & Busters they still intend on keeping the Round One Entertainment and arcade area open.