Hecklers and hooligans, take note.
San Francisco police are sending officers disguised as Los Angeles Dodger fans to AT&T Park for this week’s series between the Dodgers and Giants in an attempt to minimize potential problems between fans of the two rival teams.
Mayor Ed Lee and police Chief Greg Suhr announced the plans today in advance of the three-game series, which runs from Monday through Wednesday.
The undercover officers “will ensure additional eyes and ears” in the ballpark in case any problems arise, Lee said.
“We want to do everything possible to make sure our city continues to be safe,” he said. “The rivalry should only be on the sports field.”
This series marks the Dodgers’ first trip to San Francisco this year and follows an incident in Los Angeles last year in which Giants fan Bryan Stow was brutally beaten outside Dodger Stadium.
Two men have been arrested for the attack and are awaiting trial on mayhem, assault and battery charges while Stow continues to recover from severe head injuries.
Suhr said the plan to send undercover officers to games was tried out during the most recent 49ers football season and the decision was made to bring it back for the baseball season.
“I didn’t know if I could get San Francisco police officers to wear Dodger blue,” Suhr joked, saying he hopes to “send Dodger fans home nothing but disappointed.”
Lee said he also plans to present a key to the city to Giants pitcher Matt Cain in advance of Tuesday’s game. Cain threw the first perfect game in the franchise’s 129-year history June 13.
While urging civility between Dodgers and Giants fans this week, the mayor did indulge in a little gloating over Cain’s feat with some gentle ribbing to San Francisco’s rivals to the south.
“We have a perfect game this year,” he said. “What do you got?”
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
Want more news, sent to your inbox every day? Then how about subscribing to our email newsletter? Here’s why we think you should. Come on, give it a try.
