Post by TheShadow on Jul 10, 2008 21:44:42 GMT -5
www.sbreport.net
By Victor Cotto
There is no deceit, misleading or dishonesty from the Oakland Raiders with the enforcement of new policies that the city of Oakland will institute at the McAfee Coliseum to start the 2008 NFL season.
On Tuesday, thousands of Raider season ticket holders received an email regarding Parking & Coliseum changes in compliance with the Oakland Municipal Code as to enhance the fans’ experience during game day.
One of the city ordinances that will be enforced that take precedence and fall within the standards that govern the community that the Raiders must follow is the prohibition of “D.J. set-ups, bands, performances, and amplified noise or music” that have been present at lots for some time during tailgates and pre-game activities. This is a regulation that will be enforced by the city now, in accord with their municipal codes, not a decision arranged by the Oakland Raiders.
According to city ordinance 8.18.010, regarding the prohibition of Excessive and annoying noises, “It is unlawful for any person to create or allow to be created any excessive or annoying noise as defined herein. Any violation of the regulations specified herein shall be punishable as an infraction.”
Loud music and noise attributable to such sources have been cited as infractions, things that have become common place at NFL games within the context of the environment.
Regarding these adjustments and since the announcement, observers and those directly affected have unfairly critiqued the Raiders. Especially about the parking changes, and considering that the organization has no involvement and/or vested monetary interest in what occurs in parking areas that house vehicles for patrons that attend games, the directed anger towards the Silver & Black has been unwarranted.
The S&B Report was able to get some answers directly from Raider officials and they declared, “The stadium landlord, the Joint Powers Authority and its private stadium manager, SMG, have always been responsible for operating and maintaining the parking lots and the stadium. The Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County Sheriff’s office, as well as SMG and its private security, are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations. Since taking over ticket operations prior to the 2006 season, the Raiders have worked to do a better job communicating information to Raider fans.”
Concerning the parking situation; adjacent and surrounding areas around the home of the Silver & Black have been a safe haven for fans the night prior to a contest. But this season, those attending games will not be able to park their vehicles overnight to dodge the busy and hectic mornings that fans encounter prior to a game, thus facilitating the use of the parking lot and designated areas for vehicles – areas that have fees which will also be hiked in 2008 along with the other changes detailed in the email.
The Raiders have always been a fan friendly organization that has indulged their supporters over the years and given them enjoyable football experiences even through the lean years when the product on the field was not up to par of the excellence of the past. It’s sad to see finger pointing and bashing when customary festivities are altered, especially when guidelines that are being followed and the rules that govern the city are what facilitate the changes.
People have the power to help facilitate change in the democratic world we live in. And people also have the right to voice their displeasure when objectionable changes are made. But in this case, the Raiders have not done anything wrong and have followed the law as it was written. They weren’t being mavericks or renegades. But it appeared that many were ready for a mutiny in their unjust rage towards the Silver & Black when all they did was follow the letter of the law.
In a statement sent over to S&B Report, the Raiders stated, “In fact, prior to the Raiders taking over the ticket operations, there was no communication between the ticketing organization (the OFMA) and Raider fans. Each year, all involved – the JPA, SMG, OPD, ACSO and the Raiders work to improve the game day experience for all fans.”