Last Wednesday, during the King’s pre-final game, the Staples Center was once more a prime location fans-behaving-badly when LAPD officers arrested scalpers for grand theft both inside and out of the venue.
Police said several fans unknowingly purchased fake tickets and one San Diego man even forked over $700 for a phony ticket. Another reported buying three tickets for $1,400!
As if this weren’t enough, three more fans were arrested for battery, theft and public inebriation.
The LAPD did however, take several steps to prevent unruly crowds from engaging in the type of violence that had marred previous Lakers championships by asking L.A. Live officials not to show the game on the large outdoor screens in the plaza.
“The big screens and the crowds that gather outside have been problematic.” LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith explained. “We’ve had fights, we’ve had drinking.”
What else is there to be said, except that maybe the school system should begin teaching etiquette in our schools again. These days, crowds fueled by alcohol and rowdy behavior inevitably equal too many arrests. Sometimes, even people who should otherwise know better, may join in the ruckus to let off a little steam. We in Los Angeles are sure proud of our sports teams.
So in signing off, we say congratulations to the Kings for a job well done. Thanks for bringing home the pride of the Stanley Cup.