Dodgers Hire Former LAPD Chief to Overhaul Stadium Security

In the wake of a violent attack at Dodgers Stadium following opening day that has left a Giants fan to fight for his life at USC Medical Center, the ball club has hired former Los Angeles and New York Police Department William J. Bratton to review the team's security policies and procedures.

"Bill Bratton is widely credited with spearheading modern community policing in America," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. "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."

LAPD is still seeking about the men who attack Brian Stow, the father of two and paramedic who remains in critical condition. The reward has been increased to $150,000 thanks to a $50,000 donation from Los Angeles radio personality Tom Leykis.

McCourt had previously stated in the Los Angeles Times that he believed the team had done everything it its power to secure fan safety at the stadium and told the Times that the organization "could have 2,000 policemen there, and it's just not going to change that random act of violence."

Speaking on the Petros & Money radio show yesterday afternoon, host Petros Papadakis asked Bratton if believed increased security would not be able to eliminate "random acts of violence."

You can listen to the entire Bratton interview here.

"The term 'random' speaks for itself," Bratton said. "The reality is that despite our best efforts, there will always be the potential for a random act of violence."

Bratton played an instrumental role in putting the  "Broken Window Theory" of social scientist George Kelling into practice in New York City during his time as New York City Transit Police Chief in the early 1990s.  

Kelling's theory argues that by focusing on minor crimes, like turnstyle hopping, vandalism and public drunkenness, police can prevent the creation of a dangerous environment that invites more serious offenses.

On the Petros & Money Show, Kelling said that the Broken Window Theory could be applied to current environment of Dodger Stadium.

"A lot of what happens at not only Dodger Stadium, but any sports venue where they serve alcohol, is the knuckleheads, the hooliganism, the rowdy behavior that is so disturbing to the average fan," Bratton said. "Those can be likened to broken windows that if not addressed could then become more significant [incidents.]"

Despite McCourt's categorization of the attack as a "random act," some commenters on Patch have noted an increasingly violent atmosphere at Dodger Stadium and have noted that they no longer feel safe bringing their children there.

The next Dodgers home game is scheduled for Thursday, April 14.