The San Diego Police Department will increase security Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium for the annual visit by the Oakland Raiders but will not release details, a spokeswoman said today.
The game is sold-out despite declining local fan interest in the Chargers, raising the possibility of a large turnout by sometimes rowdy Raider fans.
Lt. Andra Brown told City News Service there will be "adequate and appropriate'' security for the game.
"We do add additional staffing above what we have for the normal home game'' when the Raiders come to town, Brown said. She said the SDPD does not release staffing levels for Chargers games or any other event it patrols.
Security levels are mandated by the National Football League, and is dependent on which teams are playing and their histories, she said. She did not have past statistics at hand for arrests at games against the Raiders, compared to other home contests.
Officers will be in the parking lot before and after the game, and inside the stadium during the event, according to Brown.
She said the Chargers will run a video on the scoreboard reminding fans of the team's code of conduct.
According to the code, fans who demonstrate inappropriate and disruptive behavior are subject to ejection, and season ticket holders risk losing their account and/or parking privileges. Among the listed offenses:
-- excessive consumption of alcohol;
-- obscene, offensive or abusive language or actions;
-- fighting, or otherwise dangerous, abusive or profane behavior;
-- unruly or inconsiderate behavior;
-- indecent exposure or undressing;
-- wearing obscene or indecent clothing;
-- smoking inside the stadium;
-- scalping or other improper resale of tickets;
-- interfering with security procedures;
-- interfering with the progress of the game, going onto the field or throwing any object onto the field or on the stadium premises; and
-- any action warranting eviction and/or confiscation of game tickets by SDPD or stadium security.
Emotions also are expected to run high because it could be the last game for Chargers head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith. The U-T San Diego newspaper has reported they will be fired at the end of the season, despite denials from team president Dean Spanos.
