The Dodgers announced today that they have hired former Los Angeles Police Chief, and current Chairman of the global security firm Kroll, William J. Bratton. After last week's brutal attack on a Giants fan by two Dodger fans, the Dodgers have responded by hiring Bratton and his firm to beef up security in and around Dodger Stadium.
From Dodgers.com:
Earlier today, the Los Angeles Dodgers hired Kroll Chairman and former Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton to assess policies and procedures related to security and fan services at Dodger Stadium, and to work with the Dodger organization to develop a best practices security blueprint that extends to both the stadium and the parking lots.
"Bill Bratton is widely credited with spearheading modern community policing in America," said Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt. "There is no one better to lead a top-to-bottom review of our current practices and make recommendations to be implemented now and into the future."
Bratton and his team at Kroll will begin consulting immediately.
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to return to Los Angeles to consult with the Dodger organization on the security posture at Dodger Stadium," said Bratton. "We will take a full and comprehensive look at security procedures and processes, and make recommendations based on our findings."
Mr. Bratton possesses extensive expertise in U.S. law enforcement that includes achieving major reductions in violent crimes when he led the New York City Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department.
The Dodgers enjoy a longtime working partnership with the LAPD, and see Bratton and Kroll's role helping with internal procedures at the Dodgers.I know there are no quick fixes. I know that Dodger security, the LAPD and Bratton and his group will not be able to watch every bit of Dodger Stadium or the parking lot all the time. Anything can happen anywhere. But this is the first step in making fans feel safer. I'm a Dodger fan, and I don't always feel safe at Dodger Stadium. That's sad. It's a place where families should go to have a good time, not to feel scared.
"We are committed to ensuring that Dodger Stadium remains a family-friendly environment for all baseball fans," said McCourt.
Is this something that has come too late? For Bryan Stow, the Giants fan who was beaten, yes. I feel sick whenever I think about what happened to him. I feel terrible for his family. They shouldn't have to go through this. This is a move the Dodgers needed to make, even if it came a week, a month, years too late. Better late than never.
some people it's a bit late, but this is better than no action at all. Who would have thought things would get this ugly? I remember when hooligans of my fav soccer team met up with those of the team from Amsterdam in a field in 1997 and beat each other to a pulp. One of the Amsterdam guys was killed with a hammer. It's weird to fight because a person favours another team.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Dodger Stadium becomes a safer place.
ReplyDeleteSoccer Hooligans put American sports thugs to shame.