It is a sad reality that because the city of San Francisco has a team competing in the World Series of Baseball they have to think up new ways to control fans. A victory could lead to rowdy celebrations and, dare I say, a loss could result in angry pissed off fans taking their anger out in a variety of ways.
In 2012, the San Francisco Giants were triumphant over the Detroit Tigers ending a seven game series in a swift four games. In some areas, celebration turned violent when fires were started and windshields were broken. Reports of the destruction and consequent arrests made headline news. Police and city leaders have made it clear on social media that they do not want a repeat of that and police presence will be heightened.
Let us stop and think about this logically – sports teams are an extension of a city; they are something that brings people of all walks of life together, something everyone can rally around, something that gives a city hope. So, it is safe to say that when rooting for your “home team,” you are rooting for your home. Why then should your “home team” winning result in your home dishing out time, money, and effort to repair itself?
The fact of the matter may simply be: people have forgotten that sports teams are a privilege given to them by the cities they play for. Although the city generates great revenue from their sports teams, they also pay a hefty price to get them and keep them.
That being said, San Francisco fans may have this year to redeem themselves since the Giants will be playing in Game 7, a do or die game against the Kansas City Royals.
There will be a viewing party at Civic Center to watch Game 7 unfold and there will be police ready to impede and disturbances before, during, or after the game. According to officers at the Southern Police Station, the viewing party is not the main concern. “I am worried about the people watching the game in the bars,” says Officer Wong. “The viewing party at Civic Center gets its fair shard of drunk fans but there are also families and there isn’t alcohol constantly being consumed.”
What happened to the good ‘ole days where a victory celebration consisted and after party with high-fives and hugs, a glass of champagne, and some classy jazz music in the background? Nobody seems to know when the acts of vandalism, such as throwing a police barricade through a Muni windshield, becomes the optimal way to show your happiness and pride.
This year, no matter the outcome, let us try to keep the headlines about the game and not about arrests being made around the city.
Go Giants. Go San Francisco.
