49ers ban tailgating because of violence

Published 11:03 am Tuesday, August 23, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO  — After violence marred a weekend preseason game against the archrival Oakland Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers on Monday moved to strengthen security at home games, including banning tailgating after kickoff and warning fans that rowdy behavior won’t be tolerated.

In addition, 49ers CEO Jed York said he will recommend that the NFL call off the annual preseason battle between the Niners and Raiders indefinitely.

“This is a game where you have a rivalry situation and, unfortunately you have the worst segment from a very small segment of both fan bases that come and brings about this type of event,” York said at a news conference at Candlestick Park. “It’s our belief that we should recommend to the NFL that this game is at least postponed for some period of time.”

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York later said, “It’s unfortunate.”

Raiders’ CEO Amy Trask said in response that “we have a terrific working relationship with the 49ers organization, and we look forward to discussing and addressing this issue with them, in the same collaborative and cooperative manner we do all issues.”

The violence overshadowed the 49ers’ 17-3 win over the Raiders.

“This game was like no other that I can remember, and I’ve been a Niner fan my whole life,” Police Chief Greg Suhr said. “Nobody could have been prepared for what happened on Saturday night.”

Suhr, Mayor Ed Lee and 49ers team officials said DUI checkpoints will be near the stadium after games as authorities will strictly forbid alcohol consumption at that time.

They also plan to make police and security more visible inside and outside the stadium and urged fans to be more accountable for their actions.