Last night McOwen, a season ticket holder and supporter of United for four years suffered a broken left leg when an overzealous CSC security officer jacket #5005 tackled, scratched, choked and verbally abused him. Here is what happened in his own words: "With about 20 minutes left to go in the game I tossed a very small amount of beer in the air in the Barra Brava to celebrate DC United's second goal. While I understand that this is against the rules, I want it to be clear that I threw the beer ONLY in the Barra section, NOT on outside fans, on the field, or on, or at anyone in particular. This is of course not an excuse, but it is also not generally something that has caused problems for the vast majority of MLS games for the 4 years I have been attending. At this point I was violently seized by my clothing by guard #5005 and an additional member of the CSC Security staff. They told me that I was "gone." I had thrown something and was to be ejected form the stadium. I was NOT drunk, belligerent, or confrontational. I told them that I fully understood what was occurring and generally signaled my cooperation. Unfortunately they did not seem to get this point, and I was constantly pushed and confronted for not moving "fast enough" in a physical and rude manner for about 5 feet. At this point I was at the stairs immediately behind the Barra Brava and having been violently shoved around and cursed at I decided (and I admit to a small degree my error) to "run" up the stairs. This was done on my part as an attempt at humor and mainly as a way of avoiding anymore physical contact with the CSC staff. (I did not want a riot to occur if I was manhandled any more.) As I ran up towards the concourse I was tackled brutally from behind by at least one and later 4 or 5 CSC staff. The tackle launched me directly into the metal crowd barrier. I was hurt instantly. I felt extreme pain in my left knee and was choked in a headlock by CSC staff member 5005. When I finally was able to convince the staff that I was not resisting I was left writhing in pain, unable to stand, on the concrete floor. I was eventually dragged to an exit and forced to stand on my broken leg. The CSC staff and later a Metropolitan Policemen refused my request for medical attention. I was told that I had to immediately leave the premises. I would have gladly complied at this point had I been able to walk. I could not walk without the assistance of at least two people. I repeatedly asked #5005 why I had been assaulted, when I was merely being removed for throwing a cup of beer. I was told I "deserved the injury" for running. The staff member continued to be confrontational and at this point I also became abusive towards him due to the intense pain in my leg." ----end qoute. Myself and two other fans had to help him get EMT attention and a way to get to his transportation in LOT 8. They made him stand outside for an hour before getting a cart or first aid. This is the second time in two straight games where a member of Barra Brava has been assualted by CSC. McOwen is considering his legal options in regards to the incident. He was not drunk or violent. He is a graduate student with no medical insurance. McOwen is facing expensive knee surgery thanks to one moron who thinks his jacket makes him a policeman with the authority to tackle or choke people. As fans and human beings we deserve better. I certainly wouldn't have taken it as gracefully as he did.
This is very disturbing and incredibly serious. A lawsuit is one thing, but in addition I think (if it's not too late) that McOwen should file a complaint with the police. This is getting beyond ridiculous (it already was ridicuous).
This is infuriating. Via lawyers or police, I sincerely hope that the guilty parties are made to be responsible for their actions. Get well soon McOwen!
Holy crap, I had no idea anything like this had happened...When I read that McOwen had hurt his knee, I though it was just an accident or something. I hope you nail those CSC morons in court.
DC United do not care as much about their fans as most of u think. I mean, would they really hold a match against a salvadorean team if they did? They dont seem to mind DC faithfulls getting abused by hostile fans, why would they care about someones broken leg? If they help that dude out financially, I'll be shocked. Let us know if a fund raiser or anything will be held to help pay for any expenses. I'M always willing to help out a fellow United soldier. We should hire a police man to keep the security guards in check.
i think #5005 has a broken leg or two coming in return... ...in a just world that is. im not implying anything of course.............ahem.
I am tired of these confrontational low class punks. They seem to think that crowd control comes from intimidation. If most of them had a single brain cell among them they would not know what to do with it. I hope that McOwen brings down the full extent of the law upon #5005 and CSC. To paraprase #5005, #5005 will then get what he deserves!
I have been both a member of La Barra Brava and a season ticket holder since day 1. In all that time I cannot remember a season quite like this one. The CSC seems to be under different orders or is totally unregulated. The level of harrassment seemed to escalate as the season went on. I for one have always hated people who play the race card when a situation arises. but after this last game it makes me wonder. Mr. Toothless security goon was all over us from the beginning. I offered to mediate and did so in keeping people off the seats. When someone lit the blue smoke bomb, a different CSC staffer told me if it happened again the cops would be coming into our section. I told him we welcomed the police as they have their sh1t together. When projectiles started flying into the Barra from the El Salvador contingent directly behind us, nothing was done. It makes me question the level of commitment DC United has towards its fan base. I love going to the games and cheering for my team with all my heart, but this last incident has me re-thinking my season tickets for next year. Hang in there Owen, your Barra Brothers are with you.
Any Witnesses? If anyone either witnessed the the incident itself where McOwen was attacked by CSC #5005, or has significant observations about events leading up to or following this, please contact me (or Begbie) via a private message. I missed the events leading up to this because I was busy talking to stadium management on another issue, but I believe I was one of the first to come upon McOwen suffering with a broken leg on the concourse. I had a verbal confrontation with CSC #5005 myself, as he attempted to prevent me from speaking to McOwen to learn his condition and to summon help. No one working for the stadium seemed interested in getting him help. As Begbie stated, it ended up taking about an hour to get medical attention, and this required the efforts of several people working independently trying to get someone to respond.
Man, that's just f***ed up. I hope he gets well soon and sues the crap out of CSC. I'm at the point where I don't want to sit over in that area anymore after hearing and seeing these incidents over the past few years. When I take my wife to a game next season, I'm springing for the VIP seats. No way do I want to be subjected to that kind of crap while watching a game. Something needs to be done immediately with stadium operations and security. It's time for every fan group to meet with DCU, the security staff and stadium big boys (Goldwater) and once and for all reach an agreement. Get well McOwen. Bill-DC
I hope you sue the CSC and #5005 personally. I also agree with the people who say you should file a police report. In addition, it appears that the idea of hiring a police officer to sit in the Barra might be a good idea, or maybe somebody in security, to have your own security force to protect you from stadium security. Get somebody who understands what is going on and will protect you from the harrassment and injurious intentions of the CSC goons. Private security might be better. If you got a private security guard or two (in uniform, although they couldn't bring the gun or the stick) to sit in your section, they would be charged with protecting you from these CSC thugs. I would figure that you would need a ticket and their salary for each game though. So, you're looking at a ticket and maybe $50 each for the duration of the game. But, it is better to protect yourselves than to allow yourselves to become targets of those who want to injure other people. I believe that the CSC in a government agency. While the security goons are probably private contractors, this opens you up to a lot of additional complaints against them, such as civil rights complaints.
While I agree with your statements, how ridiculous is it that we would even contemplate having to hire security to protect us from the very people who are hired to protect us?When the sh1t was flying from the section behind us, they did absolutely nothing about it. The first three seasons we had two female security CSC staffers who got to know us on a personal level. They were great and friendly, but tough. When they told you to get down or something else, we did it. And then on the way out after the game we would say goodbye, see you next week. Man do I miss those days.....
Owen, if I were you, I would call a lawyer, TODAY, and explore what it would take to file a lawsuit against CSC, guard number 5005, the DC Stadium Authority and DC United. This is pure crap and it has to end.
let me also add that i witnessed several events where CSC unecessarily antagonized Aquila supporters as well and tried to pick fights. then at other times, they litterally sat and watched guys throw beer at the lower sections and did nothing. one time, a dude in the next section threw a beer right in front of a CSC guy and he said nothing, even when the cop came. so i shouted out "it was that a$$hole, the p#¤sy in the yankees cap, your security guy saw it" pathetic i think we and DC United all realized there is a problem with CSC. stephen zack has already agreed to set up a meeting with representatives of the groups and csc. i have spoken personally with him about this issue and i know he cares about the issue and wants to resolve it. i have also been told he was out in the stands helping la norte on saturday resolve an issue with CSC. i hope mcowen takes private action against the csc, goldwater and his group of morons and the mpd if they didn't get the situation under control. let me know if i can help owen, i can hook you up with some guys i know who can provide legal advice. also, someone point the particular security guard out to me at the nov 17, i'll want a personal word with him.
I don't remember the # but is this the same guy who stirred ************ up at the last Dallas game or someone different? If this keeps up then we fans should Impale a few of the CSC staff on stakes outside RFK.
Well, those in charge of security seem not to have any inclination to listen to words, so it's time for lawyers to get involved. I am quite confident that someone will take this case on a contingency fee basis. There are lawyers who make a living suing DC for the abuse the police dish out. You're going to need to sue CSC, the Stadium Authority, DC United (and that means MLS), Anshutz Entertainment Group, and the District of Columbia. Your lawyer will work for a cut of your settlement or judgment. The private companies will be paying legal fees out of their own pockets. Sadly, DC and the Stadium Authority will be spending tax payer funds to defend their brutish conduct. Maybe the cost of litigation will make some of these incompetents wake up and realize it is not only bad conduct, but legally actionable and costly conduct to hire security staff that enforce the rules sporatically and also brutally. To the injured party, stop writing about it and posting details on the web and stop putting out characterizations of the incident that suggest you in any way broke the rules or did something to cause or justify the abuse you suffered. This is utterly unbelievable. They break your leg and make you stand on it while depriving you of medical attention? This isn't Iraq here is it? P.S. This raises another anciliary question about the wisdom of scheduling matches to try to draw Salvadoran crowds in DC. While it's easy money for DC, is it worth the potential liability?
Personally, I think that this particular security incident and the Salvadorean question are two seperate and distinct issues.
While I totally sympathize with McOwen's injury and empathize with the problems the Brava and SE's are having with the CSC goons, the above comments from McOwen are not going to help his cause in terrms of a lawsuit. Yes, a case could be made that the CSC people used more force than was essential but any second year law student - and I assure you, the defendants in McOwen's case will have very good and expensive lawyers - will be able to spin comments likes the ones McOwen made to make the actions by CSC seem justifed because of McOwen's behavior that he has already admitted to. I'm not taking CSC's side. I totally think they are *********************s. But, winning a case won't be as simple as it seems, especially when the plaintiff has already admitted breaking the rules. McOwen, I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. Just don't start spending any settlement money to soon.
I don't think McOwen is giving anything up here, as the only likely case which could be made is for use of excessive force and denial of medical attention by CSC. That he technically violated the rules is a given, but that in no way gives CSC the right to break his leg and deny medical attention.
With the legality of it all, McOwen did not state those words on this board. They were repeated by a third party. As for even if they were his words does his actions imply to be beaten. Throw beer get asked to leave, fun up the steps follow person to door. I dont know where screaming and hitting and eventually breaking a bone come into play on this one. He has a very good legal argument on this. Also security guards are trained to handle situations and to not use force unless they have to.....ie if they are threatened or in danger. I dont think a beer poses too much danger or a person running up steps with an empty plastic cup. It the security guard felt threatened or he was in danger to this maybe he should be looking for a job in a daycare.
Excessive force is still excessive force anyway you look at it. Did Owen make a mistake in judgement in his reaction to being confronted? Probably. Did the CSC's reaction fit "the Crime"? I don't think so. Add to that being denied medical attention, I'd say their actions are pretty questionable.
The denial of medical attention is perhaps the most problematic aspect of the incident. Forcing a man with a broken leg (especially if you broke it) to stand on it, and then preventing him from seeking help, probably reaches the level of "intentional infliction of emotional (and physical) distress." The stadium has certain responsibilites towards its patrons, and denying medical assistance is a far cry from living up to those responsibilities. The least Owen should get is his medical bills paid.
Once again I am disturbed and frustrated by this occurence. I personally met with a CSC supervisor and stadium management in front of Barra Brava prior to the game. I had hoped to get through this game without incident so that we could have our off season meeting and make positive change. I am also personally embarrased as I had requested that our operations staff position one of our veteran spanish speaking volunteers/part time employees in the area to act as a liason. For reasons I am still not clear on he did not show up for the game. That is unacceptable on our part. At this point all I can do is reiterate our plan to fix the problem and to have our off season meetings as I have guaranteed. I am obviously concerned about Owen's injury. I was made aware of it by Oscar late in the game and sent RFK management over to the scene. I then heard all sorts of conflicting reports. Had I known the serious nature of the injury I would have gone to the scene myself. I probably should have done so anyway and I apologize that I did not. I will follow up with RFK today and with Owen as appropriate. I will also work to firm up a timeline for our meeting. I will not be following this thread further so if you wish to send me comments, please do so directly via e-mail. Thanks, Stephen