The Wauwatosa Gospel at Work

Police Called To Wauwatosa Denny's Over 100 Times
TODAY’S TMJ4 ^ | 12/13/07 | Mick Trevey

WAUWATOSA - There are problems at a Denny’s restaurant in Wauwatosa.

TODAY’S TMJ4 has video showing people punching each other in the dining room. We're talking about the Denny’s location on North Avenue right by Highway 45. Police are called their constantly, nearly every other night according to police reports.

That's too much for some Wauwatosa leaders. One melee broke out at 2:00 a.m. Saturday as people were trying to eat at Denny’s. Punches flew. People rushed from their tables to see what was going on. Chris Gilbert was there.

“A little wrestling and then it got broken up and I was in between and kind of separating both sides,” Gilbert said.

Dartell Delarosa was in the fight. He has broken blood vessels in his eye.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Mick Trevey: “Do you think there should be people fighting in a Denny’s restaurant?”

“No. Ithink there should be better security. There was a guard there but he didn't really do much,” Dartel Delarosa said.

People inside say they don't like eating with violent fighting nearby.

“When you go to a restaurant, you expect to go eat, calm, peace, but things happen,” Gilbert said.

This Denny’s drains Wauwatosa police resources. Officers were called to the diner 100 times in 2006 and about 150 times so far this year.

Most of those calls come in the very early hours of the morning.

Aldermen think something needs to change.

“My own particular preference is that they close their, reduce their, business hours and are closed between midnight and 5:00 a.m.,” Wauwatosa Alderman Don Birschel said.

Late Thursday afternoon, Denny’s announced changes because of the serious problems. They say the location will close from midnight until 5:00 a.m. on weekends. They're deciding whether to make that change permanent.

***

rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "The Wauwatosa Gospel at Work":

This Denny's is but a few blocks away from the Love Shack at 2929. Why can't we all just get along?

A. Nony Mouse has left a new comment on your post "The Wauwatosa Gospel at Work":

Keep up the wonderful articles, Greg! People will see how nuts you really are.

***

The premier Wauwatosa website of the Wisconsin Synod remains silent about these shocking incidents.