The excitement surrounding the Boston Red Sox has seeped its way in to just about every aspect of Boston life including the City Council.
A majority of the councilors agreed to try to prevent a repeat of Bostonians’ reaction to the Red Sox’ epic victory Monday night in game five over the Oakland Athletics.
Citing examples from Monday night’s ‘celebration,’ City Councilor Michael Ross (Back Bay, Fenway), a Boston University School of Management graduate who represents the Fenway neighborhood, mentioned the car that was flipped over and young people hanging off the mesh fencing on the bridge on Brookline Avenue that crosses the Massachusetts Turnpike as threats to public safety.
‘[These incidents] created a critical mass that was fueled by excitement over the pennant race,’ Ross said. ‘We have some work to do.’
Ross urged local colleges and universities to work along side the city to prevent incidents like these from occurring in the future.
‘BU, [Boston College], Harvard [University] and Northeastern [University], need to reach out and secure their housing,’ Ross said.
Local schools have already started to take steps in that direction. Councilor Jerry McDermott (Allston-Brighton) pointed out fliers posted by BC after Monday night that read ‘Cowboy up, but respect your neighbors as well.’
Other members of the City Council worried about the image those who poured into the area of Fenway Park created for the city.
‘They are not fans, they are idiots,’ said Councilor John Tobin (Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, West Roxbury). ‘Ninety-nine percent of the people are good citizens.’
The city has already taken measures to make the area surrounding Fenway safe for all fans by preventing a repeat episode of Monday night. Police presence will be increased in the area and the city will ban all parking on streets near Fenway four hours prior to the start of games, according to reports.
However, members of the council want to continue to work toward preventing a repeat, especially when the Yankees come to town over the weekend.
Tobin recommend the Red Sox air public service announcements before the Yankees arrive in town over the weekend that would feature popular players like Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek urging fans to be respectful of the Fenway neighborhood.
While councilors called for increased security presence, they commended the job done by the Boston Police Monday night.