Ballistic Bob escorted out?

[Dan_Payne_fan!!]

Memo to B.C. Place Security: generally speaking, patrons wearing B.C. Lions colours and paraphernalia are less likely to be troublemakers. They've spent money to support the team and value their game experience. The ones to watch out for are those in plain clothes. Afterall, when was the last time you saw a jag-off jump on the field and run around wearing Lions' colours?

Memo to B.C. Place Security #2: hassling the opposition is a fact of life in the CFL. Other teams' fans are far more aggressive behind the opposition's bench than ours. Passionate and partial fans are what makes this league great. Within reason (i.e. without throwing objects or F-Bombs in front of children), don't try to stifle the passion. This is not Vancouver Opera at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Let fans express themselves.

DH 8)

Great Points David

i especially agree with #2

[pinkfreud]

This is reminding me of the frustrating experience I had at a Giants playoff game last year, where I was told by one of the security dweebs that I'd have to put my camera away, because it was "too big". Of course, he couldn't explain to me WHAT was "too big" - the particular lens, the whole system, or what - only that it WAS "too big" and I couldn't use it anymore. He also couldn't explain why I'd been allowed to bring the thing in in the first place, or why it had never been a problem before through two previous seasons or the World Juniors...

You should have asked him to point you in the direction of the "size doesn't matter" section.

[smphantom]

BB wasn't the only Lionbacker targeted by security - BC Place will be getting a call from me on Tuesday morning after what I went through before the game with one of their security people! :x :x

I was walking with a buddy from the movie lot to the TG lot along the outside concourse of BC Place around 6pm. In my left hand I had a 2 cans of beer in a plastic bag and we both had a beer in plastic cups. As I cut through a lineup of kids waiting to go in the stadium, this security guard is watching me from about 15 feet away and proceeds to rip the bag out of my hand as I got next to him. I question this and he barks at me that I am on BC Place property and should not be carrying alcohol!

It didn't matter to him that the cans were concealed and unopened, nor did he even question what was in our cups/ask us to dump them. It would have been a nasty scene if it hadn't been for my level headed buddy pulling me way, and the fact the guy was fairly large. Plus I would have not been allowed in to watch the game.

When I ran the incident by a police officer later inside during the 2nd qtr of the game, he had no valid reason for the Jerks behaviour. What if a resident of a condo near BC Place was walking home with a box of beer that he/she had just purchased - would that a$$hole have done the same thing??

I am not upset about losing the 2 beers ( he probably drank them later), it is the principle of the matter. I told the loser where I was heading, but he didn't care. I will recognize him if I see him again.

Just got of the phone with the head of BC Place security. I expressed my concerns, and he is going to get the wanna be cop's side, before he gets back to me.

He did agree when I asked if they have adopted a zero tolerance policy since the pre-season game incident.

[Soundy]

He did agree when I asked if they have adopted a zero tolerance policy since the pre-season game incident.

That's right! NO FUN ALLOWED!

[Soundy]

This is reminding me of the frustrating experience I had at a Giants playoff game last year, where I was told by one of the security dweebs that I'd have to put my camera away, because it was "too big". Of course, he couldn't explain to me WHAT was "too big" - the particular lens, the whole system, or what - only that it WAS "too big" and I couldn't use it anymore. He also couldn't explain why I'd been allowed to bring the thing in in the first place, or why it had never been a problem before through two previous seasons or the World Juniors...

You should have asked him to point you in the direction of the "size doesn't matter" section.

Size ALWAYS matters!

[Charlene]

Anyone else pinkfreud?

Somehow.. I survived.

One more seemed to leave with an escort, with a Boden jersey on.

Hahahaha.....that guy was a real bad a** :lol:

Could've taken an eye out with a peanut.......

Funny thing is they let me leave the building with my drinks.....sorry Steve

You must share the whole story of them escorting your ass out of there. Tell them what you said to the security guard!!!

[Sir Purrcival]

So Okay, let me play Devils Advocate for a second.

Now we have some incidents here that can certainly be questioned. No one like to see injustice at any level. But lets put these on the balance scales.

Some overzealous security that may have pushed the boundaries of being proactive

vs.

Two people who got assaulted by a bunch of yahoo's a few weeks ago where security was not present in enough numbers or quick enough to prevent an assault.

Of the two, for me it pretty easy to think which way I prefer it.

This is in some ways a no win situation. Maybe security was out of line in all of the incidents brought out here but what happens when they are more "relaxed" and something like a few weeks ago happens? Then people are all over them for not doing enough. So which would we rather have, the proactive or the reactive? I know that abuse of personal freedoms is one of those things that runs against the grain and I am not arguing that we should be content with abuse of any kind but maybe we need to recognize that the stakes have changed somewhat and that we may have to change some of things we do in accordance with the realities of the moment.

[Soundy]

How about some middle ground? Get some people working there with more than just the bare minimum security training, who can actually tell the difference between fans just being fans, and those who are looking for trouble? Maybe people who are 'solid' enough to be able to actually handle the rowdies, rather than needing to panic and have the cops come and eject anyone who looks "scary" to them?

[JoLyon]

I have been attending Lions games since 2000 and as a season ticket holder for 5 yrs.

I sit on the Visitor's side and I enjoy watching the Visitor's getting heckled by Ballistic Bob and a bunch of other season ticket holders. I was sorry to hear he was asked to leave as I do believe he is an Ultimate Fan. When I don't see him with his signs the game experience doesn't seem quite complete. I've followed the Lions to other stadiums in the league and everyone has hecklers. It's part of the sport.

I think Security is definately more of a presence now! And it's about time! I am saddened to read about the negative experiences during the last game of some fans, but I have to say Security is a necessary evil. Since becoming a die hard Lions fan and sitting in numerous places over the years I have been subjected to fights, I've had beer spilled (and the occasional person fall) on me, I've heard language sailors wouldn't repeat and all of these things in the presence of children more often than not. These children are the future season ticket holders: the game experience should be something wonderful, and not a topic for discussion with their psychologist in 15 yrs. :-)

Unfortunately, it is impossible to make 30,000+ people respect each other and young kids when they are sober, let alone when alcohol or rival teams are taken into account. I'll take the inconvenience of losing two beer or being asked to leave myself, over people ending up in the hospital, threatened or scared any day of the week.

I hope the next game experience is better for everyone and that we're back as #1 in the West!

[KnowItAll]

How about some middle ground? Get some people working there with more than just the bare minimum security training, who can actually tell the difference between fans just being fans, and those who are looking for trouble? Maybe people who are 'solid' enough to be able to actually handle the rowdies, rather than needing to panic and have the cops come and eject anyone who looks "scary" to them?

hell, half the cops nowadays are scrawny little things who cant handle the average rowdy by themselves. Thats why they have to shoot so many people, even when they are not armed with anything more than a chain and a hammer.

[smphantom]

BB wasn't the only Lionbacker targeted by security - BC Place will be getting a call from me on Tuesday morning after what I went through before the game with one of their security people! :x :x

I was walking with a buddy from the movie lot to the TG lot along the outside concourse of BC Place around 6pm. In my left hand I had a 2 cans of beer in a plastic bag and we both had a beer in plastic cups. As I cut through a lineup of kids waiting to go in the stadium, this security guard is watching me from about 15 feet away and proceeds to rip the bag out of my hand as I got next to him. I question this and he barks at me that I am on BC Place property and should not be carrying alcohol!

It didn't matter to him that the cans were concealed and unopened, nor did he even question what was in our cups/ask us to dump them. It would have been a nasty scene if it hadn't been for my level headed buddy pulling me way, and the fact the guy was fairly large. Plus I would have not been allowed in to watch the game.

When I ran the incident by a police officer later inside during the 2nd qtr of the game, he had no valid reason for the Jerks behaviour. What if a resident of a condo near BC Place was walking home with a box of beer that he/she had just purchased - would that a$$hole have done the same thing??

I am not upset about losing the 2 beers ( he probably drank them later), it is the principle of the matter. I told the loser where I was heading, but he didn't care. I will recognize him if I see him again.

Just got of the phone with the head of BC Place security. I expressed my concerns, and he is going to get the wanna be cop's side, before he gets back to me.

He did agree when I asked if they have adopted a zero tolerance policy since the pre-season game incident.

Just received a call. The security guard was questioned, and his response was that he thought I was going to enter the stadium with the 2 cans of beer. Right, I am going to try and smuggle in beer and, why would I enter at 6pm for a 7:30 kick off??

Still, what about the fact that I told the jerk I was going elsewhere with the beer??

Way to say the right things to protect your job buddy!

[Soundy]

Yeah, my response to that would be, he should have waited until you were actually TRYING TO ENTER THE STADIUM... duh???

[No Ordinary Joe]

Yeah, my response to that would be, he should have waited until you were actually TRYING TO ENTER THE STADIUM... duh???

But, wouldn't that be intelligent?!

[Soundy]

Yeah... can't have any of that, can we?

[LFITQ]

why would I enter at 6pm for a 7:30 kick off??

I think the better question would be "HOW"? The doors don't open until 1 hr before kickoff so the doors weren't open 6:30pm. And at such time you would have been in a line up where they check all bags and I'm sure it would have confiscated at that time.

Did you ask what happened to the beers after they were confiscated? What does the incident report say? Almost be tempted to ask for a copy of it - otherwise ask for the guy's name and say you are going to the police to report a theft of property.