Eight of nine nightclubs or restaurants that Prince George’s County shut down late last week because of safety concerns are back in operation.

Attorneys for the county and more than half the establishments appeared before a Circuit Court judge on Monday and told him they planned to work together to improve security while the clubs remain open.

On Friday, Judge Thomas Smith granted five of the establishments — Millennium in Hyattsville, Cuzco Restaurant in Hyattsville, Tick Tock Restaurant and Bar in Hyattsville, Crossroads Entertainment Complex in Bladensburg and LePearl in Capitol Heights ­— temporary restraining orders so they could remain open over the weekend, after the county closed them Thursday.

Judge Thomas Smith had scheduled a hearing on the matter for Monday, but agreed to take no action after the parties informed him they were negotiating. He scheduled a status conference for June 8.

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Knights of Columbus in District Heights joined in the agreement and can now reopen.

“This is a real victory for the residents of Prince George’s County,” County Executive Jack Johnson’s Chief of Staff Michael Herman told The Examiner.

Attorney Jimmy Bell, who represents CFE in Forestville and Classics Night Club in Camp Springs, said those establishments also reopened Monday after he met with the county. Johnson’s spokesman, John Erzen ,was unsure whether Bell’s clients were subject to the same terms as the other six businesses.

“The only thing we agreed with the county is to have open dialogue regarding issues,” Bell said.

According to the county, the six establishments involved in the court proceeding will meet with police officials to develop security plans.

“It’s going to obviously vary club by club,” Herman said of the agreements. “We are saying we want security plans that address [the situation] both inside and outside the club.”

The county released a list of general recommendations for the establishments that include installing recording devices, hiring private security, employing police officers and improving lighting among other measures.

“I think for both restaurants, many of these things are already in place,” said Attorney Todd Forster, who represents Crossroads and Cuzco.

Attorney Rebecca Nitkin, who also represents Crossroads and Cuzco, said all the establishments contend the county’s actions were unconstitutional and she took particular issue with the orders to close, which gave no specifics.

“The only thing we have agreed to do is work with the county in discussing a resolution to the problem,” Nitkin said, “which the county has suggested to us involves the implementation of additional security measures.”

Erzen said Tradewinds in Clinton, which the county also shut down last week, remains closed.

dfowler@dcexaminer.com