After Dodger Stadium attack, Los Angeles police to increase presence at games

LA Times ^ | April 8, 2011 | Joel Rubin

[Beaten Valve]

After the unprovoked attack last week at Dodger Stadium that left a San Francisco Giants fan with brain damage, Los Angeles Police 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.

Beck made the announcement at a news conference with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, where both were at pains to restore the public's sense of safety at the stadium and in its sprawling parking lots.

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.

LAPD officers working at Dodger Stadium are typically off duty from their normal patrol assignments. So, it is unlikely that the increase in security will drain officers from nearby police stations. The stadium is one of a handful of high-profile sporting and entertainment locations in the city where off-duty officers are permitted to wear their uniforms while providing security.

[La Enchiladita]

Good one, sergeantdave!!