Dodger Stadium alcohol sales, security staffing, lighting will be reviewed, ex-police chief Bratton says

Former Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton began to assemble a team of security experts to assess the situation at Dodger Stadium.

After coming under heated criticism for his muted response to an attack on opening day that left a Giants fan in a coma, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt on Wednesday hired Kroll Associates, the security consulting firm run by Bratton, to make recommendations on improving safety at the stadium.

Bratton, in an interview with The Times, said the team would be looking at a wide range of issues, including lighting in the parking lots, staffing levels of security personnel and the organization's policy on alcohol sales.

A recommendation to curb beer and liquor sales at games would cause a serious conundrum for McCourt, since they typically account for a large portion of profits at sporting venues.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck on Thursday announced a plan to significantly increase the number of police officers on patrol during games.

"You are going to see a sea of blue. And it's not going to be Dodger blue. It's going to be LAPD blue," Beck said of the beefed-up police presence planned for the team's next home game Thursday.

The chief said that "at the absolute minimum" he would double the 30 to 40 uniformed officers who typically are deployed at games. Beck declined to provide specific numbers, saying his staff was still working to determine how many officers were needed to provide more comprehensive coverage inside and outside the stadium. Along with the higher number of uniformed officers, Beck emphasized that undercover officers would be deployed as well.

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--Joel Rubin

Photo: Suspects sought by the LAPD in the attack on Giants fan. Credit: LAPD

Comments

[Johnny Utah]

I find it sad for this man. I am upset at his friends for not helping and can't believe that they didnt help him. I hope we get to the real facts of this and catch the thugs.

[Chi Guy]

Increasing beer prices won't lower the alcohol consumption one bit. The people who are getting "liquored-up" are doing it before entering the stadium. Ever leave the game later than the 7th inning? It's pretty much a sea of bottles.

[TOTO]

Certain people, especially shrill right-wing radio need to stop making this a race issue or a “border” issue. The thugs who committed this heinous crime are criminals who need to be caged. Did you make it a race issue, when that heavily armed criminal in Arizona shot that Congresswoman? Did we blame a whole group of people or culture for that senseless crime? No? Then don’t blame this crime on a particular race or culture either.

[Disgusted with Dodgers!]

Wow--what ever happened to good sportsmanlike conduct and it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game?

I'm originally from Seattle, came here for college in '84, went to a Raider's game in Seahawks attire. Found out in 5 minutes that was a huge mistake and turned jersey inside out.

Watched in horror as crazed fans tear down the goal post after the game even though Raiders won. I never attended a game again.

I Went to one Dodger game, even though this time I wore Dodger Blue, the experience for other rival team fans was the same. Haven't been back.

I grew up going to Mariners, Sonics, and Seahawks games--never in my life did I ever see a fan harassed for rooting for the other team--having the freedom to choose who we root for is all part of being a sports fan.

Dress code, policing parking lots, cutting people off, empowering security to kick unruly, drunk, rude fans out & pull their season tickets, more security lights cameras, text security offer if you get in trouble, all great ideas, but bottom-line is McCourt is a joke and Richard Riordan, Eli Broad, Austin Beutner, Rick Caruso, or some other multi-millionaire needs to buy him out and bring in a family-oriented, honest owner who has integrity, not greed as his strongest drive.

Until then, all fans should boycott Dodger Stadium and watch them from home. Then when only the low-life, cowardly gang-bangers show up, maybe McCourt will get hit where it hurts. Oh, and use some of the money he's lining his pockets with to pay this poor guys medical bills.

[Bobby]

Please, only stupid people, or people that don't understand what has happened to California and especially Los Angeles and the greater area, would possibly go to Dodger Stadium. This isn't 1965. Enough said? As other bloggers have written, the lawlessness, spinelessness, and political correctness forced upon the public by the Democratic Party has born it's fruit. Now let me see, Charley Beck, who chastized the police after illegal aliens at MacArthur Park threw crap at the cops and became utterly violent is going to solve this problem with Dodger Stadium security. The mayor of L.A. supported those illegal aliens and these people (mayor and police chief) are going to make Dodger Stadium safe now. I see. Got it.