One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Unlike Years Past, LAPD Plans Strict Enforcement of Tailgate Parties at Dodgers Opening Day
LAPD Officers on patrol inside Dodger Stadium | Photo by susan catherine via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Tuesday is opening day at Dodgers Stadium and that means it's party time. 56,000 ticket holders will descend upon Chávez Ravine and, as usual, hundreds more will come out to celebrate in Elysian Park and the Stadium parking lot.
"One of the traditions has been tailgating, picnicking, drinking in public," explained Captain Dave Lindsay of the LAPD's Northeast Division. "You get a lot of people that come here and they'll start partying at 6 a.m. If you've never seen it, it's something to see," he said of the camaraderie.
But Lindsay warns things will be a little different on Tuesday. "This year we're going to take a different approach to it--we're going to start the enforcement of no drinking and parking provisions right off the bat" instead of waiting for it to get out of hand, he explained.
Officers will be stationed at the park well before 6 a.m. to make sure people don't start setting up too early--or drinking!--as the park officially opens at 5 a.m. "As you can imagine, that park space is at a premium with that many people." Otherwise, Lindsay and his officers look forward to overseeing the good-natured picnics, BBQs and mariachi bands that will overcome Elysian Park.
Also: Dodgers Bring Back the Picante Dog & Introduce a 2-Pound Pretzel with 3 Dipping Sauces
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
