PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A fight at the Costantino’s bar spilled into the street during the Columbus Weekend Festival on Federal Hill, Sunday night.
Police were called to break up a fight involving 15-20 people around 7:30 p.m.
Providence police said Monday that an altercation that started inside a Federal Hill restaurant spilled outside onto the street. (WJAR)
“As I understand it, they were sitting down for dinner, one thing led to another, somebody said something, and that was about it so thankfully it was a small, isolated incident and it was over very quickly,” said Federal Hill Commerce Association President, Rick Simone.
Police and security assigned to a detail on Federal Hill for the festival were first to arrive, followed by additional Providence Police units.
According to the police report, officers found two men outside on the sidewalk in a physical altercation.
The men were separated and detained.
A woman told officers she got hit in the face, but declined to press charges, and everyone was released.
“It shouldn’t happen here, maybe a night club I don’t know, but over here Federal Hill is family, this is good times,” said festival goer, Bert Leandrews.
The fight comes months after an incident at the last festival on Federal Hill, the St. Joseph’s Feast, where a man was hit by a reckless motorcyclist while sitting under a tent outside of Opa.
After that incident in June, security patrols increased.
During the St. Joseph’s Feast, there were two officers with three private security workers at night.
For the Columbus Weekend Festival, there have been 6 to 8 officers at all times with four additional security personnel at night.
Festival goers said these incidents are unfortunate, but they won’t deter them from visiting Federal Hill.
“I feel like it’s just a few bad apples in the bunch that don’t know how to act in public,” said Neil Cesario, a Westport, Massachusetts resident.
Dining and Cooking