City council ban could end alcohol sales at 49ers games after halftime
Santa Clara city council members Lisa Gillmor, Teresa O’Neill and Debi Davis have discussed the possibility of ending alcohol sales at halftime of San Francisco 49ers games, reports Phil Matier and Andy Ross of The San Francisco Chronicle.
The idea was presented after a video surfaced of 49ers fans assaulting a Vikings fan after the teams’ Week 1 matchup. Four people were arrested on suspicion of felony assault after the incident, the Associated Press reported Friday.
“We really need to send a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” Gillmore said.
O’Neill said that she would be on-board with a second-half alcohol ban.
“I know they make a lot of money off of alcohol sales, but if people have an hour and a half (without alcohol) maybe they will cool down a bit,” O'Neill said.
In addition to an alcohol ban, city council could also add more police officers working at Levi’s Stadium. Santa Clara Police Chief Michael Sellers estimates about 30 arrests are made on game days, but said he didn’t think an alcohol ban would make much of a difference in the number of arrests.
“We are just like any other NFL stadium,” Sellers said. “We have 70,000 fans, and less than tenth of a percent are a problem.”
Tuesday’s city council meeting is set for 7 p.m. PT at Santa Clara City Hall.
- Christopher Chavez
