No CSC at the next Match!

[Red&Black]

I had a long talk with Stephen Zack and he was informed by the Stadium Commission that CSC will not patrol the Barra section. Instead MPD will be assigned to mointor the section.

It is unclear how closely they will enforce things such as beer tossing and smoking--keep that in mind.

I'd urge you all to remember this isn't CSC, they are sworn peace officers and can arrest you, remove you, etc.

I personally have had good relations with the MPD guys and am confident they will be more professional than CSC.

So now we have what we wanted, lets hope its what we need.

Unclear now if the MPD will be there Wednesday. For sure on Sunday.

[K]

I had a long talk with Stephen Zack and he was informed by the Stadium Commission that CSC will not patrol the Barra section. Instead MPD will be assigned to mointor the section.

It is unclear how closely they will enforce things such as beer tossing and smoking--keep that in mind.

I'd urge you all to remember this isn't CSC, they are sworn peace officers and can arrest you, remove you, etc.

I personally have had good relations with the MPD guys and am confident they will be more professional than CSC.

So now we have what we wanted, lets hope its what we need.

Unclear now if the MPD will be there Wednesday. For sure on Sunday.

Kind of strange to be happier to have DC coppers around, but hopefully this will be an improvement for all! What about the drum circle? (as that seems to be the biggest bee in their bonnet?)

K

[McOwen]

Ha! Not sure whether to laugh or piss my pants :D

--Lets hope we get a good group.

Btw Rob how did this evolve to this point? Did this have something to do with the two guys that were arrested on Saturday?

[Red&Black]

i believe this includes the circle also. i'll be meeting mpd this week to get the specifics.

[Victory]

I am just curious at whose request this change was made. More supervision from MPD was something that the Barra has been seeking for a long time. Hopefully, this switch works out.

It is a little strange and very telling that the Barra is happy to see MPD patrol our section instead of CSC.

This was a long time coming but I wonder if the banner at the game finally got the message across that the Barra is sick and tired of the antics of CSC.

[Red&Black]

I am just curious at whose request this change was made. More supervision from MPD was something that the Barra has been seeking for a long time. Hopefully, this switch works out.
apparently it was the DCSEC who made the call. they hire CSC and are the ones who work with MPD. they are the only ones who can make that decision.

[NattyBo]

The MPD have been infinitley more friendly than CSC when I have seen them in front of the Barra this year.

At the Muncipal game there was just one MPD officer in front of us and a CSC farther over (towards the SEs) and the guy was pretty darn nice. I dont recall him coming up into the stands for beer thrown, etc.

I hope everyone heeds Rob's warning to remember that these officers, while probably not collosal asshats like CSC, are officers of the law and as such can arrest you, etc. I dont expect any problems though if there isnt any CSC there to mess things up.

[Victory]

apparently it was the DCSEC who made the call. they hire CSC and are the ones who work with MPD. they are the only ones who can make that decision.

Did Stephen make it sound like DCSEC and CSC were sick and tired of dealing with us and our antics or did he make it sound like this was a positive change because our relationship with CSC has gone so bad and this was a way to give everyone a fresh start.

As far as I have seen the MPD have been respectfull, professional and non-vindictive. While I withold a final verdict I see this as a positive.

[McOwen]

I hope everyone heeds Rob's warning to remember that these officers, while probably not collosal asshats like CSC, are officers of the law and as such can arrest you, etc. I dont expect any problems though if there isnt any CSC there to mess things up.


Thats a good point and one worth beating into the drunken locos. :D

There can be bad apples in the Metro PD (if not worse.. and this is coming from a good friend in the US PARK POLICE) but as others have said I love the MPD next to CSC and will take my chances.

I am just dying to know what caused DCSEC to chnage their tune.

[CHICO13]

Damn, finally! All the MPD I've dealt with over the years have been pretty cool. I wonder if me telling Mr. Blue Goon, him and his merry band of assclowns were being filmed had anything to do with it? :D

[K]

Thats a good point and one worth beating into the drunken locos. :D

There can be bad apples in the Metro PD (if not worse.. and this is coming from a good friend in the US PARK POLICE) but as others have said I love the MPD next to CSC and will take my chances.

I am just dying to know what caused DCSEC to chnage their tune.

I would think that hearing numerous reports coming from the clubs, CSC and DCU that it became pretty clear that there was a complete breakdown on all sides. (I'm just glad they're doing something before it came to a mini riot out on the concourse because honestly, that's where I think this was heading). While this will help in the short run, DCSEC really needs to be asking themselves why they still employ this vendor.

K

[Victory]

I think that the Barra should draft a quick letter to DCSEC and thank them for the change. Also people should introduce themselves to MPD at the game and let them know we welcome the change. Make sure they know we wanted and asked for this and not that it is happening because we are lawless troublemakers.

[JayRockers!]

This is BIG news. Bigger than breaking ground on a SSS perhaps. :)

I feel much better knowing our security is in the hands of professionals now. Hopefully they don't decide to draw the line about four steps back from where it is now. And hopefully everyone in the Supporters Sections respects their authority. I feel it will take just one screwup for us to start getting Rev or Wiz SG treatment.

Thx,

Jay!

[BBBulldog]

remember to say hi to the officers, respect is a 2 way street. I'd rather have a good relationship and be able to concentrate on supporting team than get distracted by attention whores like CSC gnats.

Also if you have to throw beer (******** you and your family :D ) don't aim it at cops... or me (guess now I'm in for it :D )

Prolly a good idea to spread the attitude around since lots of people don't read boards.

[Funkfoot]

You have to wonder why this didn't happen sooner. You would think the city would want to hire off duty cops (or pay for overtime) to throw some money their way instead of paying a private company. If they get a good bunch, it could be a good thing.

In New Orleans, the local cops handle crowd control for Mardi Gras, Super Bowl, etc., etc. And they are very tolerant of drunks and stupid people - they just use common sense (or else they would need to arrest everyone), and they appreciate the overtime pay. You would think that the MPD would be good at crowd control, with all the marches and other events in DC.

[McOwen]

You have to wonder why this didn't happen sooner. You would think the city would want to hire off duty cops (or pay for overtime) to throw some money their way instead of paying a private company. If they get a good bunch, it could be a good thing.

In New Orleans, the local cops handle crowd control for Mardi Gras, Super Bowl, etc., etc. And they are very tolerant of drunks and stupid people - they just use common sense (or else they would need to arrest everyone), and they appreciate the overtime pay. You would think that the MPD would be good at crowd control, with all the marches and other events in DC.


Great point and at least in thew past the New Orleans PD arent even known for being one of the better Pd's in the country.

[Red&Black]

The MPD has a very strong reputation for crowd control, etc. I know that some of their specialists lecture and consult with other departments around the country. But they also don't seem to take a bunch of ******** or anything--they seem pretty quick to arrest people.

My guess is that if you give them some respect they'll leave us alone. If people start cussing them out or things then they'll likely not take it long. My guess is that if we keep things within some broad limits--keep beer in the air within the section, focus our verbal abuse on the visitors and and refs and generally react to and focus on the game and there shouldn't be any problems.

I further guess that DCSEC doesn't see this as a "starting over" but as a problem they are addressing.

I think it is clear that antagonism has really hardened on both sides and its close to getting like it was a few years ago. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground and neither side has any trust in the other.

I look at this as an opportunity--if we just have fun, keep it in 135 and focus on supporting United (the reason we are there right?) we'll be cool

I expect it to louder and harder for opponents as no one will have to waste energy with CSC.

[fatbastard]

Oh great fine, take away the CSC's favorite people to hassle. That's just gonna piss them off, and guess where they come next ........ to bother me in 134 .... great, thanx :rolleyes:

They actually tried this at the Guatemalan game too if I recall. I gave the officers hell the whole game because they were on the phone :)

[Victory]

My guess is that if you give them some respect they'll leave us alone. If people start cussing them out or things then they'll likely not take it long. My guess is that if we keep things within some broad limits--keep beer in the air within the section, focus our verbal abuse on the visitors and and refs and generally react to and focus on the game and there shouldn't be any problems.


Those of us in the internet know-it-all group need to take steps to address the respect issue with the membership base at large.

R&B, if your perception is that DCSEC is addressing a problem then the Barra should take steps to let the DCSEC and the MPD know that we support the change.

[Nick_78]

I for one am very glad to hear that! Sure they may have arrested me at the last game, but it all started due to a lie by a CSC guard. All of the MPD officers I have interacted with in the past (with the exception of a couple of them this weekend) have been very nice and proffessional. But to repeat the warning, they are good at not instigating stuff (unlike CSC flipping the section the bird) but they are VERY good at finishing whatever is started. As long as we play nice with them, all should be well!