Anaheim : Stadium No-Drinking Rule Given Force of Law

The City Council voted Tuesday to allow police to arrest or cite violators of Anaheim Stadium’s policy prohibiting drinking in its family section.

Arrests could begin as early as June 11, when an ordinance approved by the council on a 4 to 0 vote goes into effect.

Assistant City Atty. Bob Frank said the ordinance was passed to strengthen the stadium’s new policy, which was implemented last month.

“It’s difficult to enforce a policy, but if you make it an infraction or misdemeanor, you can enforce it more effectively,” Frank said.

The city has adopted ordinances in the past to back up other stadium policies, such as the ban on bringing alcoholic beverages into the stadium.

The 2,615-seat family section in left field is controlled by ushers who also discourage the use of profanity.

Frank said that under the new law violators could be issued a citation or arrested for drinking alcohol in the area. A fine of up to $1,000 and a sentence of up to six months in city or county jail could also be imposed, he said.