The Los Angeles Dodgers implemented sweeping changes at Dodger Stadium, namely eliminating tailgating, in effort to improve safety in the wake of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow getting senselessly attacked in parking lot on Opening Day of the 2011 season.
Stow suffered brain damage that requires medical assistance for the remainder of his life. He filed a lawsuit against the Dodgers and former owner Frank McCourt, of which the team was found negligent during a July 2014 decision by a jury.
The Dodgers found themselves in a similar position amid another alleged attack in the Dodger Stadium parking lot following a March 2018 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That led a lawsuit being filed against the team.
A separate fan incident that involved Dodger Stadium security also took place during the 2018 season, and a Los Angeles Superior Court ordered the Dodgers to pay damages to Francisco Rodriguez, per Steve Henson of the L.A. Times
The court on Friday assessed $100,000 of Francisco Rodriguez’s damages against the Dodgers and $5,000 against Dodgers security officer Erik Pena, who was found to have acted with malice. Several other security officers included in the lawsuit were found not to have acted inappropriately.
Rodriguez claimed his trouble with Dodgers security stemmed from voicing his disagreement over how another fan was being treated. Video of the incident showed personnel getting physical with Rodriguez just inside a stadium entrance.
Along with a policy against tailgating at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are quick to act when fans get unruly in the stands or run onto the field of play.
Dodger Stadium security changes
In addition to prohibiting tailgating, the Dodgers added more lighting and police/security presence throughout Dodger Stadium.
The experience at Chavez Ravine is generally considered fan-friendly, and that has been further enhanced with the $100 million Dodger Stadium renovation which brought an array of upgrades.
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