Two Year Anniversary of the Attack on Giants Fan Bryan Stow – Can Good Come From Such a Horrilbe Incident?

Posted on March 31, 2013 by John Doublin

Two years ago today the sports community was forever changed when San Francisco Giants’ fan, Bryan Stow, nearly paid the ultimate price for his team loyalty. Stow traveled the 300 miles to cheer for his beloved Giants at the home of their rival, and was beaten almost to death in the parking lot of a Los Angeles Dodgers’ home game leaving him with severe brain injury.

This incident brought the issue of fan violence to the forefront, prompting the creation of FansAgainstViolence.org. All of a sudden, fan violence was a topic of conversation on a national level. Major news outlets, such as CNN, FoxNews, and MSNBC were all talking about the violence in the stands.

Bryan Stow and Family

Since that day, Mr. Stow has been slowly recovering from his injuries, though a full recovery is not likely, as his injuries were numerous and severe. Mr. Stow’s family has since started a website, which updates well-wishers and fans of his current condition, along with improvements and changes in his condition.

So, what does all of this mean? What should we take away from this tragic and senseless act of violence? Is there a “silver lining?” Those questions are difficult to answer.

One way to look at the result of this terrible incident is that the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and the NCAA have all taken steps to protect fans in the stands. There are emergency security text code numbers fans can use to report fights and disturbances, stadiums have increased security and, most importantly, most fans are no longer tolerant of people such as those men who attacked Mr. Stow. Decent people in stadiums all across the country, and the world, are reporting violence in the stands more readily. This incident also prompted California legislation, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto(D-Los Angeles) which requires all professional sports venues in California to have a Security Text Code program in place. That, in and of itself, should be counted as a minor victory.

It’s sad that it took the near death of a fan to bring this problem to the forefront of conversation, but as Mr. Stow and his family attempt to heal and return to some sense of a normal life, they can take solace in the fact that, although it came in the wake of such a horrific event in their lives, the likelihood of this happening to someone else in the future is greatly diminished due to his story.

Fans Against Violence continues to support Mr. Stow and his family as they live through this tragedy. As always, we send our well-wishes and prayers to the Stow family. FAV will continue to do everything possible to prevent this from happening again.

To see ways you can help or get involved with FAV, please visit our Get Involved page.
If you would like to donate to Bryan Stows family directly, you can visit our Donate to Bryan Stow page.

We cannot change things on our own, but by raising awareness and offering suggestions to prevent this sort of thing, through the support of fans, teams and leagues, we will be able to make a difference in “Taking Back the Stands!”

Mike Gatto’s Stadium Violence Prevention Bill Signed by Governor Brown

Posted on September 7, 2012 by FAV

Sacramento, CA – Next time you find yourself at a football game, with a front row seat to a brawl in the stands between two rowdy fans, you’ll be able to more quickly and less conspicuously summon stadium security. Assembly Bill 2464, the Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), was signed into law today by Governor Brown.

The Act will require major-league sports stadiums in California to clearly post the numbers fans can use to call or text-message stadium security, both inside and outside the venues. Most stadiums verbally announce the contact information for stadium security at the beginning of the game, but many fans don’t remember this number several innings later and in the midst of an emotionally charged altercation mere steps away. Now fans don’t have to memorize this number – it will be a mainstay at all professional sports stadiums and arenas in the state.

Posting these signs will enable incidents to be resolved more quickly, before a victim is seriously injured. In fact, several of the more high-profile beatings lasted over a span of several minutes, during which frantic fans dialed 911. In those instances, it is stadium security (from within the stadium) and not the police (coming from outside the stadium) who is best equipped to quickly respond and prevent an injury from becoming more serious.

The signs mandated by AB 2464 will also serve as a reminder to would-be perpetrators that they will be caught, hopefully adding an ounce of prevention to this modest cure. “It has become apparent that we need to act to keep the action at professional games on the field and out of the stands,” said Gatto, “AB 2464 is a simple, common-sense, and preventative solution.”

AB 2464 is one of three bills signed into law today authored by Assemblyman Gatto.

Mike Gatto represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Atwater Village. He is the Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Anti-Fan Violence “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act” Passes CA Senate

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Anna Mohr

California is a signature away from passing legislation in an attempt to solve the growing problem of violence at sporting events- a small victory in the ongoing crusade to bring peace to fans statewide.

AB 2464, proposed by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, landed on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk on Tuesday, and is expected to be signed within the next two weeks. It will mandate owners of all sports facilities to post notices containing the telephone number and text message code to dial in the event an incident arises which calls for security to be summoned. Further, these notices must be strategically placed in locations visible to a majority of spectators in seating areas, parking lots located on the complex premises and at all points of entry.

Gatto introduced this bill back in February, in response to the outrageous number of violent acts reported at sporting events statewide. After being told by some of his constituents that they are concerned for their safety at stadiums and arenas, Gatto decided to take action. The passage of this bill, he hopes, will encourage people to alert authorities before situations escalate and assuage the fear that many have developed to attend games and matches.

We’re optimistic that this law will go into effect, and hopeful that California blazes a trail for other states to follow. As citizens and fans, we are entitled to protection and should not be shy about asking our politicians to ensure that we receive it at all times, including during sporting events. Thank you to the citizens of California, and to Assemblyman Gatto, for refusing to sit on the sideline while this vicious conduct continues. We admire their efforts and hope they inspire more people to join the cause.

Anti-Fan Violence “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act” Passes CA State Assembly Unanimously

Posted on May 18, 2012 by FAV

Yesterday, Thursday May 17, 2001, the bill known as the “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act”, passed The California State Assembly unanimously with 72 votes. With the ever growing number of incidents of fan violence, this is great news for Sports Fans statewide.

AB2464 would require all professional sports venues to post Game Day hotlines and Security Text Codes in designated areas throughout the stadiums and arenas, as well as parking lots. Currently, a majority of professional sports venues already have the Game Day Hotline and Text code program in place. Should this bill become a law, it would, by extension, require all sports venues to adopt this program.

Although AB2464 will not end Fan Violence in its entirety, it is a small step in the right direction. While sports venues have a major responsibility towards ensuring fan safety, Game Day Text Codes and Hotlines are great tools for Sports fans to take a proactive approach in their safety.

The next step for the “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act”, will be to pass the State Senate then on to the Governor for signature. In speaking with Assemblyman Mike Gattos staff today, there was an air of reserved confidence that AB2464 will not be met with resistance through the State Senate. If it does indeed pass and is signed by the Governor, the law could come into effect as soon as January 1, 2013.

We at Fans Against Violence, encourage sports fans to get behind and show your support for AB2464. If you are interested is joining us in supporting this bill, please email us at info@fansagainstviolence.org.

Assemblyman Gatto Proposes California Professional Sports Teams Pay Informants

Posted on September 5, 2011 by FAV

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.