Dodgers Opening Day Will be Swarmed by Cops Hoping to Avoid Repeat of Bryan Stow

By Dennis Romero Mon., Apr. 9 2012 at 4:03 PM

David Nwachuku

Cops are planning to swarm Dodger stadium and nearby Elysian Park on opening day tomorrow.

If you remember last year's opening day, then you know why. Among the violence that broke out was the horrific beating of Giant's fan Bryan Stow, who was put in a coma.

The LAPD today said it was prepared to crack down on alcohol drinking not only in the parking lots of Dodger Stadium but in the nearby parks:

The Dodgers will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:10 p.m.

LAPD spokesman Richard French told us:

The main point is to assure people there will be additional police officers not only in Dodger Stadium but beyond Dodger Stadium, where there are parks and people gather.

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Dodger Stadium officials tell us no alcohol is allowed in the parking lot, even though the venue's rule has apparently seen lax enforcement in the past.

The organization has its own private drunk patrol, we're told. But it looks like officers will be there en masse to help.

The LAPD states:

... Extra police officers will be assigned starting the night before the game to patrol these parks, increase security and make certain that no park ordinances are violated, especially those related to alcohol.

So shape up, Dodger fans. We know you're excited about the whole Magic Johnson thing. Just try not to beat people up this time.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

alcohol, Dodgers, fights, LAPD, opening day, police

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sportsfan

Last year after sitting in traffic (to get home) on Stadium Way for over an hour I realized that the reason nothing was moving (I live by the stadium and expect traffic) was because people had parked in the turn lane at Academy. So I watched a bunch of kids AND adults 'wilding' (as they used to say - but definitely the best way to describe it) in the park for an hour. When I finally got through I pulled up to one of these multi-million dollar mobile command posts which had about a dozen LAPD motorcycle cops lounging around it.

The cops were sitting around bullshitting while an atmosphere that was clearly dangerous and explosive was unfolding around them. I explained to an officer that traffic was badly backed up because cars had been parked in a turn lane. There was no shortage of cops or parking enforcement in the area, I might add. Our noble police officer's response? A shrug and then he pointedly turned his back on me.

As much as we would like to blame McCourt for what happened to Bryan Stow, I was there and I know that the LAPD was responsible for allowing the atmosphere to get completely out of control before the game even started. But who cares about a guy beaten half to death as long as the overtime slips get signed? Here's hoping that this year our boys in black realize they actually have a job to do that goes beyond scheming to enlarge their pensions.