Assemblyman Mike Gatto out of Los Angeles is proposing legislation that would require each California professional sports franchise to contribute $50K to a violent offenders reward fund. He would like to use the fund to reward private citizens for assisting authorities identify and apprehend offenders of violent acts at sporting events.
Gatto sits on the California State Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media Committee, and will use a special proceeding to explore his proposal. You can view an interview with Mike Gatto on his proposal here.
Bryan Stow, a Giants fan who was critically beaten by two Dodger fans at Dodger Stadium in March 2011.
As many hypothesize as to why such high profile incidents have occurred recently (the Bryan Stow beating in Los Angeles and the Shooting at Candlestick Park), Gatto cites a cultural increase in violence, an escalation in sports fanatics, as well as alcohol consumption and insufficient security.
Gatto was born in 1974. From his 23rd birthday on, California had experience a sub-7% unemployment rate. That is, until 2008 when it creeped beyond. The UE rate has now been hovering around 12% for the last three years. Many of us Californians have not seen this level of financial desperation in our lifetime.
Elevated violent outbursts around events that thrive on competition and rivalry, while personal and emotional frustration is at an all time high seem to have a logical correlation.
Contradicting Gatto’s claim, violence crimes in California have fallen incrementally since 2006. Homicides are at a 44 year low, and other violent crimes are down more than 6% from 2009.
Alcohol sales at sporting events have become more and more restricted. When Gatto was a boy, beer vendors roamed the stands. Alcohol sales are now sold only at the vendor booth, with limits on quantities and sales end far before the game does.
Many venues have increased security presence both in their facility and in adjacent parking lots. They have encouraged interaction with fans, implemented text and anonymous calling options to report subjects of concern.
Gatto himself acknowledges that the attackers of Bryan Stow were identified through citizen participation without a reward fund.
As fans, we more than anyone understand the desire to keep our stands safe. Where that money could better be used, however, might be in helping Californians find jobs. Let the teams, and their home facilities, act responsibly with autonomy from the state, and encouragement from their leagues. Most of all, let them listen to those of us who patron their teams.