LETTER: Ravens Stadium Mob Left Kids 'Traumatized'

Neither (D) or (R) February 7, 2013 at 05:55 pm

It was confirmed last night (as I said it would be) these thugs (15-16 years old, not in school, with deadly weapons) WERE at the parade! Steve lives in a wonderland of ignorance and oversight.

Susan February 7, 2013 at 06:00 pm

from what I understand - when the stadium first opened - the upper levels were closed off they weren't expecting to fill the stadium....they didn't open those levels until later.

Neither (D) or (R) February 7, 2013 at 06:00 pm

Address the topic please Dave, not punctuation, spelling or obvious terminology. It makes you look uninformed on how to respond to the truth, so you play a trivial "card".

Stephanie February 7, 2013 at 06:02 pm

When the Ravens were transported by bus from the airport to their facility in Owings Mills there were quite a few police escorts. It seems like the same consideration for the safety of the many fans was not given by the city of Baltimore.
And I am shocked by the number of comments here from those who seem to brush this type of behavior off by saying it should be expected because there were so many people. What I expected was that when the Mayor invited everyone to partake in this celebration, that ample security would be provided. I think everyone expects to hear foul language, and plain old jerks, but I don't think anyone should be expected to anticipate that they will be trampled or threatened with a lethal weapon in exchange for the seat that they occupy. The same people with the "it's no big deal, get over it" attitudes are the type of people who perpetuate this behavior. They have no respect for others' rights. They are not decent human beings. They blame the victim, accept it, and move on. It's just so sad.

Neither (D) or (R) February 7, 2013 at 06:03 pm

Steve: As I have said my times before on this site... I know many people within the powers that be in the city (police, government, business owners and onward). I apologize for always getting the correct information about the reality of issues within the city before you do.

Neither (D) or (R) February 7, 2013 at 06:16 pm

Great points teech! Also I am sure Kim D is also unaware that Baltimore City is among 4 cities in the entire nation which are Incorporated! Meaning the city is, as an entity, responsible for all of its debts and projects, as well as, has the ability to be sued. Incorporated Baltimore has been mis-run and abused by the corrupt Democratic leadership the past 25 years. No Mayor has ever gone out on a high note in this city. Burns to Rawlings/Blake have all had corruption, ethics and other violations against them. When Baltimore City goes bankrupt; which they are on the way to, the city and residents are toast!

Neither (D) or (R) February 7, 2013 at 06:17 pm

Heard that!

Jim Jones February 7, 2013 at 08:20 pm

The blame needs to be placed on the city and the people responsible for security at the stadium. They apparently were only estimating 30k people to show up. Not sure how this was a logical estimate based on the crowd that was there for the pep ralley and the crowds that partied in the streets the night of the game. The police were drastically under-staffed for the crowds. Once the crowds got out of hand during the parade they made the call to surrounding police agencies for support. MSP,Baltimore County PD, MDTA, MTA, and others were all frantically called and sent officers in support, but it was way too late. Proper planning of event would of allowed the police to keep the crowds more orderly. To say that there were no issues just because you may not of personally witnessed it is crazy. People are not just making the stuff up. We should be thankful it was not worse. Why does the stadium provide such tight security for games, but for this the gates were open with no metal detectors or pat downs??? People don't bring weapons to parades but they do to games????

Dave Counter February 7, 2013 at 09:31 pm

Mayor Sheila Dixon is no longer in office. Try Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Get your facts straight.

Dave Counter February 7, 2013 at 09:33 pm

Simply put, this was not an event to attend with children.

Alex W February 7, 2013 at 09:38 pm

Knowing what we know now, maybe not. Not all kids were affected by these turds. Hoping that next year's parade (fingers crossed) has better security at least on par with regular season games.

JG February 7, 2013 at 10:23 pm

First of all I was also in Section 121. I was horrified by what happened and have never felt as unsafe as I did on Tuesday. I am not an uneducated, irresponsible or low class for sitting in the lower sections. My group thought going to the stadium would be the best place to take the kids to see the parade. This way we were not on a street packed 8 people deep with people pushing and shoving all trying to catch a glimpse of the parade. Our group got there early and we were able to get good seats. Everything was completely enjoyable until the some of Baltimore's finest compromised the parade route illegally and marched toward the stadium. Right behind us it was hard to believe that people had the audacity to think that it was their right to scale a closed gate, mob a section of people who had been there for hours and threaten and overpower them for their seats. The 5 MD state police officers did nothing to help the section or get the teenagers out. The police ran up halfway and stopped. We were basically held hostage in our seats and tried not to make eye contact with the thugs as to hope they would not harass us next as the police were clearly not interested in helping. It was a dangerous situation and M&T should be ashamed of lack of security it provided. Apparently you cannot have free event downtown as its residents think they are entitled to enter even when gates are closed! They are lucky something much worse did not occur. What a shame for Baltimore!

Up and At Em February 7, 2013 at 10:55 pm

What did you expect? Something free and in Baltimore City.

Evets February 8, 2013 at 12:49 am

Alex W., I hope so too. Of course, the parade next year will be in Pittsburgh, so you will have to travel a bit farther to enjoy it. ;-)

teech February 8, 2013 at 04:40 am

You got it....the city that bleeds is a mess. Many baby mommas....no baby daddies...no self-respect...lack of parental involvement...truancy...no consequences... high drop-out rates...crime...illegals...guns...crooks in office...drugs...and generally a not my fault mentality. Baltimore is going down fast and in 10 years might be bankrupt. Thank you Martin Omalley, Shelia Dixon and all the other cronies....and by the way....you SHOULD be able to take your children to a World Champion celebration and be safe.....GO RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Evets February 8, 2013 at 11:20 am

I wonder if 200,000 people would show up for a parade honoring firemen, police officers, and EMTs from the city and county? You know, to honor those people who sometimes actually risk their lives to help us.

kim d February 8, 2013 at 11:58 am

Some of you people are disgusting with your "down with Baltimore" rhetoric. Never mind our national anthem, all the history, the good things and good people...you just hope the city falls into doom. You should be ashamed of yourselves. There's a reason I stopped responding on this thread.

Neither (D) or (R) February 8, 2013 at 12:06 pm

AND as I said over and over: More and More accounts are starting to come out and be reported on the crimes, fights, flash mobs, and murder at the celebration.
1) Now it was announced that one 11 year child was trampled by "teens" jumping the fences and storming through barriers at the stadium. 2) Rawlings-Blake announced that the celebration was not properly handled and prepared for. 3) Video clips and pictures from within the stadium are revealing teens standing on top railings, acting extremely inappropriate and tempting police to do something. 4) Gates at the stadium were broken open or knocked down by thousands of teens acting unruly (police were easily overwhelmed).

Neither (D) or (R) February 8, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Just the facts Steve! Let me know when you see a mob of white kids storming White Marsh acting like uncivilized, overly entitled thugs.

Neither (D) or (R) February 8, 2013 at 12:13 pm

You are so blinded. I state real facts and real stats; you state personal limited observations and judgements upon other bloggers. You do not address the actual topic with any sort of factual truth. Stop dodging the truth (via stats, facts, reported incidents, and the reality of the cities youth).

Teri February 8, 2013 at 02:03 pm

for those that doubt how bad it was I posted a video on the patch of the mob trying to break thru a gate and the rush to the second gate that was broken.

teech February 8, 2013 at 04:50 pm

Yes Baltimore has a tremendously rich history and good people.....BUT...BUT...BUT look at the flip side. I am sad over the city's deterioration and hope things can be "fixed". But until the "citizens" change...Baltimore will continue on the down slide. Would YOU go for a walk at night in the city? And I don't mean Little Italy. How about Greenmount and North Avenue?

kim d February 8, 2013 at 04:59 pm

Like any city, why would I pick the worst parts to walk through at night? That's just dumb. I've lived in LA, Dallas and now Baltimore. I grew up in an affluent suburb in VA...you know the burbs where everything is great and everybody loves each other? I've never lived in a more neighborly city than Baltimore. Expecting to choose the worst neighborhood to walk through in any city is lofty. You're completely out of touch with reality. Leaning entirely on stats is ridiculous too. If you are slightly versed in statistics...you'd know that. I also don't have groups of "roving black youth" around me and all the other ridiculous crap I've heard. I mean I do, but they've gotten off the bus to go to school. Maybe they're obnoxious...they're kids. I'm sure you'd be frightened though. I've got plenty of white trash around me though. Maybe you're more used to that it seems.

JCG February 8, 2013 at 06:10 pm

I avoid Baltimore City like the plague ( that it is )!!!!!!!

kim d February 8, 2013 at 06:17 pm

But Go Ravens...right? Lots of intelligence floating around here. Lots.

teech February 8, 2013 at 09:19 pm

You sound like an "angry woman". Why don't you solve the city's problems? ....congratulations on your birth location and your present choice of residency in a "neighborly" and safe area. I bet I can guess where you live in "the city".

teech February 8, 2013 at 09:20 pm

Are you "Lil Kim"?

kim d February 8, 2013 at 09:23 pm

Annnd you guys are idiots. If I argued with you, that'd only make me one. Enjoy rambling your absurdities.

teech February 8, 2013 at 10:33 pm

Mmm mmmmm mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! ;)

Dave bause June 8, 2013 at 02:15 am

Sorry to hear,but not surprised. Two people I know were assaulted there. One sustained a career ending injury. KC fan gets beat up etc. we pay to much and want to have a good time. Really sad!