Drunken sports fans with a penchant for profanity and violence may end up watching the remainder of the game behind bars.
"Fans who are obnoxious, intoxicated, seeking trouble in a violent way, I have one simple message for you: there will always be room in the county jail," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.
The warning was part of a news conference Monday to unveil the Southern California Fan Code of Conduct. Although many sports venues across SoCal already have individual codes of conduct, this one is designed to blanket the entire region.
According to its creators, the LA Sports Council's Task Force on Fan Behavior, the 10-point code is a universal way to "create a more secure and enjoyable game-day experience."
"Everyone who comes to our games should know that they areentitled to have asgood of time as possible, to be as passionate, as enthusiastic as they can. They just can't interfere with anyone else's enjoyment of the game," said Stan Kasten, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, who was also at Monday's unveiling, echoed Baca's warning to rowdy sports fans.
"Violation of this code of conduct can get you arrested or at the very least evicted from the game," Beck said.
Although the code comes a little more than a year after the high-profile beating of Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium, organizers say not one single incident led to its inception.
"We want to be able to sit there and enjoy the game, enjoy your family without having to worry about having people thowing beer bottles," says Barbara Branstetter.
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LA sports fans say they welcome the code of conduct. Alicia Brooks says it took 30 minutes for football fans to start fighting when she attended her first game.
Brooks and other mothers, including Barbara Branstetter, say the new rules will make them more comfortable bringint their children to professional sporting events.
"We want to be able to sit their and enjoy the game, enjoy your family without having to worry about having people throwing beer bottles," Branstetter said.
Southern California Fan Code of Conduct
The [Name of Team and/or Name of Facility and/or Los Angeles Sports Council] supports the area's outstanding collegiate and professional sports teams. In order to ensure a safe and celebratory environment, we ask that fans refrain from the following behavior at all events:
• Profanity or other offensive language, whether spoken or appearing on apparel
• Smoking, other than in designated areas
• Intoxication or excessive alcohol consumption
• Bringing prohibited items into the venue
• Throwing of items or liquids
• Entering the playing field or court at any time
• Fighting or other threatening behavior
• Failure to retain ticket and/or present it to event staff if requested to do so
• Resale of tickets at the venue
• Violation of state or local laws
Failure to comply may subject you to ejection or arrest.
Fans are encouraged to report inappropriate behavior to team/venue personnel. We welcome your help in our efforts to provide an enjoyable experience for all guests.
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