Security tight business as usual over for Dodger-Giant games By Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin April 11, 2011     SAN FRANCISCO--The usual fare at AT&T Park for Dodger-Giant visits usually had the same amount of security to keep an eye on things you can move about the park with the same crowds and no one would know the better. This was not the case on Monday night for the Giants-Dodgers opener as police and security lined the sidewalks and interior of AT&T Park this was with the idea that two unruly fans would not repeat what took place on Thursday March 31st on opening night at Dodger Stadium when 42 year Santa Cruz resident Bryan Stow was beaten senseless by two Dodgers fans after the ball game in parking lot two. The purpose for Monday's game was to pay respects to Stow who is in a Los Angeles hospital in a coma with head injuries. While Stow's abusers are at large and most probably not even in the country and the only thing to go on is there composite sketch and no license plate taken at the scene of the assault one has to wonder if the authorities will ever catch these fugatives. On Monday both teams entered the field to honor Stow and the Giants and Dodgers had their representatives to speak on behalf of each team and say a kind word for Stow. The Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt spoke first and with emotion wishing Stow, his two kids and his family the best of luck. The Dodgers had second baseman Jeremy Carroll also say a few words for Stow. Both teams were encouraging fans of the Dodgers and Giants to set their differences aside when the game is over and that fighting and trying to injure someone over the game or the rivalry is never wanted in or out of the park. The SF Police closed down the Embarcadero in the seventh inning of the game and plan to do that for every Dodger-Giant game this series. This will force fans to go southbound and for the police to control traffic. It's first in park history but police felt it was necessary to avoid any further violence and control traffic leaving the park. Therre had been threats of retribution for the Stow beating as some yaa hoos said there would be payback for the Stow beating and they would be looking for some unknowing Dodger fans to send to the hospital. With enough threats that were posted on line the Giants took them quite seriously and took the initiative to implement security measures in and out of the park. There were cops and security people in and out of the Willie Mays Plaza areas, inside the restaurants and along the sidewalks. The parking lots were the most essential that's where some of beatings and a shooting had taken place. The police were walking those lots like it was their regular beat and no one was going to try and pull a hit and run on anyone in those lots. They especially were ready when the fans left the ball park after Monday's contest and some police and security were in front of some of the crowds and behind some of them. They had it covered but was it too little too late for Bryan Stow? Did the horse leave the barn already? The Giants weren't going to take any chances of another Bryan Stow situation and likewise for the Dodgers when the Giants come back to Dodgers Stadium. Security from this point forward is going to be tight and the Giants and Dodgers are hoping for no more pre game dedications to any fans ending up in the hospital. Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin cover Giants baseball for Sportstalk Radio

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