The military's recent decision to ban Air Force personnl and their families from frequenting a favorite restaurant and bar has had a huge impact for the establishment where a fight broke out this weekend. The management of the Marianas Trench are doing what they can to prevent incidents of violence. Kea River, a manager at the Trench recalls what happened on Friday night as the bar was closing.  "There were people outside waiting and someone said the wrong thing and fights started to break out and next thing you know someone comes running in because a regular girl of ours got stabbed". 

A 20-year-old active duty sailor received multiple stab wounds and was treated and released from the Naval Hospital.  The incident prompted the Air Force to issue a temporary ban, ordering personnel to stay away from the establishment until a final decision is made. According to Rivera, the ban is a huge blow to the Trench's business because the military make up about 75% of the clientele. "This the first time that something like this has happened and I understand why it's there but we're a military bar to begin with and this will hurt our business and I think it's slightly unfair". Several bars have recently opened in the area, which may have contributed to the alcohol-fueled altercation on Friday night.

But Trench management has taken extra steps to prevent anything like that happening again. "For the restaurant and bar side we've hired more bouncers, we have security cameras, and we try to check all the drunk people and stop fights before they happen and ask these people to leave". 

Joint Region Marianas deputy public affairs officer Coleen San Nicolas confirmed Joint Region Marianas met on Wednesday but told KUAM that no decision has been made on what will be done moving forward with regards to the ban of air force personnel. As for inquiries about the impact the ban would have on the relationship between the military and the community, San Nicolas said, "we continue to foster a strong and positive relationship with the local community."