LAPD to double police presence at Dodger Stadium: It will be ‘a sea of blue’

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck promised “a sea of blue” — as in blue-clad police officers — when the Dodgers return home on Thursday to play the Padres in the first game of an eight-game home stand. And while “a sea” is not exactly a recognized unit of measure in the U.S., it should be more than a “disinterested smidgen,” which is what many Dodgers fans believe has been at the stadium up until now.

Feeling the type of pressure that only baseball fans and the media can apply, Beck addressed the mounting violence at Dodger Stadium at a press conference on Thursday that included LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Giants fan Bryan Stow was the victim of an unprovoked attack by two men dressed in Dodgers garb during LA’s home opener last week, resulting in Stow being beaten unconscious. He is still in a coma in critical condition at a Los Angeles hospital. The resulting uproar by Dodgers fans over the attack, and subsequent remarks by Dodgers chairman Frank McCourt, has prodded the city to take unprecedented measures toward better security at games in Chavez Ravine.

“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.

Beck said that he would expect the Dodgers would foot the bill forf the increased police presence, but Villaraigosa declined to commit on that. Meanwhile, former LA police chief William J. Bratton, who was hired by the Dodgers on Wednesday to make security recommendations, said that the first things to be looked at would be lighting and staffing in the parking lots and alcohol sales.

Meanwhile, the LAPD had their “Wanted, Dead or Alive” moment on Thursday.

The investigation into the Dodger Stadium attack is ongoing. Deputy Chief Jose Perez said police were inundated with more than 80 tips from callers responding to composite sketches of the attackers and news of a $100,000 reward for information leading to their arrest. As detectives continue to track down leads, Villaraigosa and City Councilman Ed Reyes, whose district includes the stadium, called on anyone with information to contact police.

“To the cowards who did this: I know you’re watching. We will find you. It would be better for you to turn yourselves in,” Reyes said.

To the Dodgers and the LAPD, think of security this way: Is Dodger Stadium a place where Mike Brady would feel comfortable bringing his family? Marcia has an issue with being hit in the face, and Alice is a nervous wreck. Get the Bradys back home to Tiger safe and sound, and you’ve licked your problem.

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After Dodger Stadium attack, Los Angeles police to increase presence at games [Los Angeles Times]
Dodger Stadium Security: Chief Charlie Beck Speaks Out [Huffington Post]