LOS ANGELES (AP)—The hits keep coming for Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank
McCourt and they aren’t the kind that is helping the organization.

The latest off-the-field distraction came Tuesday when the family of a San
Francisco Giants fan who was brutally beaten at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day
sued the team and McCourt, claiming security cutbacks were partially to blame
for the attack.

The suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of Bryan Stow
contends the Dodgers were negligent by not providing more security and not
having adequate lighting in the parking lot where the incident occurred.

Combined, both elements “provided a perfect opportunity to commit a variety
of crimes,” the lawsuits states. “Unfortunately, for Bryan Stow, this is exactly
what happened.”

Stow, 42, remains in critical but stable condition under heavy sedation to
prevent seizures caused by the traumatic brain injury he suffered in the March
31 attack.

Police arrested Giovanni Ramirez, 31, over the weekend but charges have not
yet been filed against him. They have not identified a second attacker and a
woman suspected of driving the pair from the scene.

Ramirez was being detained on a parole hold, and detectives still had not
presented their case to the district attorney’s office. Detective Pjai Morris
said additional investigative work was being carried out, but he was confident
the case would go forward.

Chip Matthews, who is representing members of Ramirez’s family, said Ramirez
never went to the game that day.

Matthews told The Associated Press that Ramirez is willing to take a
polygraph test to show he was not at the stadium and had spent the day at his
aunt’s house with several family members.

In recent weeks McCourt has seen Major League Baseball appoint a monitor to
oversee the Dodgers and his ex-wife ask a judge presiding over their divorce
trial to order the sale of the team. Baseball officials also have said they
don’t believe McCourt has enough money to make payroll at the end of this month.

Attorneys for Stow believe McCourt has mismanaged one of baseball’s most
storied franchises by spending lavishly since buying the team in 2004 and
reducing security during games. Court documents filed in the divorce trial
indicate the McCourts took out more than $100 million in loans from
Dodger-related entities.

Jerome M. Jackson, an attorney for the Dodgers, said in a statement that the
organization had been unwavering in its support for the Stow family and for
police investigators.

“But, to be clear, Mr. McCourt and the Dodgers will defend themselves
against the allegations,” the statement said.

The lawsuit also noted that Dodgers staff was slow to respond to Stow,
taking between 10 and 15 minutes before they arrived to the scene. His attorneys
also claim Dodger Stadium has more crime than any other MLB venue and the
defendants knew the area was unsafe and a haven for known gang members to “meet,
plan and carry out criminal activity.”

The Dodgers “knew that the decrease in security forces at Dodger Stadium,
coupled with the decrease of uniformed officers patrolling the stadium, would
lead to increased attacks and criminal activity on their property,” the lawsuit
said.

Stow, who wore Giants gear to the game, was taunted repeatedly and some
Dodger fans threw peanuts, hot dogs and wrappers at him and his friends,
according to the lawsuit.

Stow also sent a text message to a family member during the game about the
intimidating scene.

Besides beefing up security and improving the parking lot lights, Stow’s
attorneys said several other measures could have been taken to prevent the
attack, including ejection of disorderly fans, refusal to have known criminals
or gang members attend games and the promotion of responsible consumption of
alcohol.

Attorney Thomas Giardi, who represents the Stow family in the lawsuit, told
KNTV that Barry Bonds had donated money for a college fund for Stow’s two young
children.

Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.

The family of Bryan Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally assaulted in the Dodger Stadium parking lot following the teams’ Opening Day matchup on March 31, filed a civil suit against the Dodgers in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.

The suit reportedly seeks unspecified damages to cover the economic damages to Stow and his two children, as well Stow’s future medical care.

Attorney Thomas Girardi, who is representing the Stows, said that the family insisted on repaying much of the money that has been raised for the Bryan Stow Fund since the attack.

The Dodgers have increased the security presence at Dodger Stadium in the wake of the incident — which included hiring former Los Angeles police chief Bill Bratton to work on long-term measures — and have paid for the Stow family’s hotel bill in downtown L.A. while Bryan was hospitalized at a nearby medical center for several weeks.

Girardi said that there were steps the Dodgers could have taken to better protect public safety, though, and that the team willfully chose to use their resources in other areas.

“The Dodgers have shown a total disregard for public safety,” Girardi said. “They’ve gotten rid of security people. They’ve had all these incidents at their games, more than other teams. There’s also a known gang presence. What did they think was going to happen?”

According to court records, one of Stow’s alleged attackers, Giovanni Ramirez, has a history of violence and run-ins with law enforcement.

LOS ANGELES – A Southland business executive and former mayoral candidate was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers today as vice chairman, with his position including “efforts to improve the fan experience at the stadium.”

Steve Soboroff, a former senior adviser to Mayor Richard Riordan and past chief executive officer of Playa Vista, will report directly to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.

“Steve understands this city as few others do, and his contributions have made Los Angeles a better place,” McCourt said. “Not only will he infuse great ideas into the Dodger organization, but he will use his trademark ‘get-it- done’ approach to extend the Dodgers’ positive impact on Los Angeles. It starts with a quality fan experience in the stadium, and extends throughout the Southern California community.”

Soboroff will be responsible for implementing recommendations from former LAPD Chief William Bratton’s effort to enhance safety, security and the “overall fan experience at Dodger Stadium,” according to the team. He will also work to bolster the team’s ties to the community and charity groups and expand conservation and “sustainability” programs at the stadium.

Soboroff finished third in the 2001 Los Angeles mayoral primary election, behind Antonio Villaraigosa and eventual general-election winner James Hahn. He is a former president of the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission and is board chairman of the Weingart Foundation and the EXPO Center in Exposition Park.

“The fan

experience starts with a safe, comfortable, family environment and extends from there,” Soboroff said. “That’s the recipe for success in the city’s parks, at Playa Vista and in every neighborhood throughout Los Angeles. It is about having the right plan, and putting that plan into action.”

The Dodgers have been working to make security improvements at the stadium since the opening-day beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, who remains in a medically induced coma. The team hired Bratton and the Kroll company, of which he is chairman, to review security procedures at the stadium.

Soboroff said he planned to meet with fans at the stadium to get their opinions and take “strong actions in a number of areas. And I’m in a hurry.”

A Los Angeles Police officer stands watch as fans arrive at Dodger Stadium prior to the start of the Dodgers game.

Read more about this story from CNN affiliate KRON.

Los Angeles (CNN) — Thursday’s Los Angeles Dodgers game was a “safe” event police said after security was beefed up in the wake of a March 31 attack in which a San Francisco Giants fan was seriously injured.

“We had a great safe game,” said Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Perez, after the Dodgers loss “This is the benchmark we will have at future Dodger games.”

And as police talked about their efforts to add security to baseball games, Bryan Stow was still hospitalized from being beaten after a recent Dodgers-Giants game.

Stow, 42, was put in a medically induced coma following the attack. About 100 witnesses saw Stow attacked as he left a stadium parking lot. The two suspected assailants fled after the beating in a light-colored, four-door car driven by a woman with a young boy inside, authorities have said.

Family members said doctors have lowered Stow’s sedation and are hoping he wakes up soon.

“We have received hundreds of tips, but we are far from a solution,” Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told reporters Thursday. He appealed to those with information to come forward, saying they can do so anonymously. He showed reporters new composite sketches of the suspects. Officials are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to arrests and convictions.

There was increased police presence inside and outside the stadium Thursday. Officers were tasked with ensuring the no-tailgating rule was enforced and no fans were drinking in surrounding areas before entering the stadium, police said. In addition, increased lighting has been added to the parking lots.

There were at least 38 people cited for various violations including open container and drinking in public, Perez said.

Perez said he had not heard of any reports of violent offenses Thursday.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said he hopes officials can go even further and bring about changes in fans’ behavior.

“We sincerely hope that the solutions we put in place here at Dodger Stadium will be used at sports and entertainment venues throughout America,” McCourt said.

Stow is hospitalized at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center.

As of Wednesday, “There have been no more seizures for a couple days,” Stow’s sister Erin wrote on a website launched to provide updates on his condition, www.support4bryanstow.com. Doctors have been lowering his sedation, she wrote.

“Once it’s out of his system, he can be examined and hopefully (praying) he responds to commands. Or better yet, wakes up.”

Stow has had no seizures for five days, his cousin, John Stow, told CNN affiliate KRON on Thursday, “which is tremendous. We’re very thankful.” He said it’s not known when Stow will wake up. “Head injuries are unique,” he said. “Every case is different, so we’re just going to be patient … Bryan’s going to do it when he’s ready.”

The family has said they are grateful for the outpouring of support. Since the unprovoked attack, money has poured in from numerous donors and fundraising events to help pay for Stow’s medical costs and support his two young children.

At a dual fundraiser Monday at Dodger Stadium and AT&T Park in San Francisco, more than $120,000 was raised, said American Medical Response spokesman Jason Sorrick. In all, more than $200,000 has been raised for Stow, who works for AMR.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Bryan and the way the community has rallied around him,” John Stow said. Another event was to be held in the San Francisco area Thursday.

CNN’s Stan Wilson contributed to this report.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and L.A. police chief Charlie Beck unveiled new security measures at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, two weeks after the brutal beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow on Opening Day.

Calling it a response to a “crisis in confidence,” Beck deployed a significant and highly visible police presence in and around the stadium before Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Dodgers have agreed to pay for the increased on-duty police mobilization, and it will remain in place for at least this homestand.

“Dodger Stadium has become safer over the last few years, just as all of L.A. has become safer over the last few years,” Beck said. “But fan perception is important. Your perception of crime is at least as important as the reality of crime, because that’s what affects your behavior.

“It isn’t necessarily the reality of crime, and this is in no way downplaying reality of what happened to Brian.

“The reality is that Dodger Stadium is safer. But that is not the perception. So we are going to make the perception match the reality.”

Beck said he will evaluate whether the size of the police presence at Dodgers home games needs to be increased or decreased after the series. LAPD spokesman Lt. Andrew Neiman could not say how large the police force deployed to Thursday’s game was, but called it “significant.”

Beck had to pause during his opening remarks because a police helicopter flew overhead. There was a noticeable presence of officers on motorcycles, horseback and in patrol cars in and around the stadium.

After an initially sluggish, much-maligned response to the incident, McCourt promised the organization will maintain a long-term commitment to security issues that will serve as a model for stadiums across the country.

“One thing that is permanent for sure is the commitment to take what is unarguably a tragic, heartbreaking event and turn it into something very, very positive,” he said.

“The commitment is clear and firm that we are going to move forward and make sure that the legacy of this event are permanent changes to fan behavior at Dodger Stadium and hopefully at stadiums throughout the country.”

McCourt said the incident has negatively affected ticket sales, but he’s confident he can restore fan confidence.

“Certainly this attention, the safety at a stadium — and again it’s a perception thing as chief Beck said — it certainly doesn’t help ticket sales,” he said. “What will help ticket sales is making sure this venue is the safest venue in America.”

Last week, McCourt announced that he had hired former LAPD Chief William Bratton and his private security consulting firm, Kroll & Associates, to study the organization’s current procedures and make recommendations to help improve them.

Most of those recommendations will be implemented over the next few months and years, but Bratton’s most immediate suggestion to increase the lighting in the Dodger Stadium parking lot has already been addressed.

“There’s actually about 43 stanchions that have been added to the existing lighting,” Bratton said.

“The whole idea here is increased vigilance. … What we’re also trying to improve is ability for a fan who feels that they are being abused by the boorish behavior of others, to improve the ability to report that and have it immediately responded to and dealt with effectively.

“Some of the concerns as I’ve been hearing them, is that what was reported was oftentimes not dealt with effectively from the fans’ perspective.”

Beck said that the LAPD has received hundreds of tips during its investigation of the beating, but that the two suspects remain at large. Policed released a new composite sketch of the men on Thursday, which provides more detail on the facial features of one of the suspects.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the two suspects remains at $150,000.

When asked whether the Dodgers would be putting the composite sketch of the two suspects up on the video board at Thursday’s game, McCourt said that he wasn’t sure if that option had been discussed.

“I will talk about it, but I think it needs to be balanced with the fact that people are coming to the ballpark tonight with their families and friends to enjoy themselves too,” he said.

“We want to keep in mind that this is a baseball game that we’re playing here tonight. But if there’s anything that this organization can do, including putting those images up on the big screen, we’re going to do it.”

On Wednesday the Dodgers announced they had eliminated a half-price alcohol promotion at several upcoming home games. However, McCourt was noncommittal Thursday about whether the team would make further changes to its alcohol policy.

“It’s a privilege to be able to come to a ballpark and, if you’re of age, have a beer and a dog,” he said. “It’s really the abuse of that privilege that’s the problem. It’s not serving the beer.”

He said that the team has hired a group of behavioral experts who will be stationed around the ballpark to observe fan behavior and alcohol consumption. Those experts will have a “friendly conversation” with someone who has had too much to drink.

“We’re going to be proactive in that regard, but at the end of the day, the idea of a beer and a dog is something that’s been around at baseball parks for a long time,” he said. “It shouldn’t be abused, and it’s not going to be tolerated here.”

Ramona Shelburne is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Follow Ramona Shelburne on Twitter: @ramonashelburne

The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers stand for a moment of silence for paramedic Bryan Stow, pictured above, who was beaten at Dodger Stadium earlier this month, before their baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, April, 11, 2011. Photo: Eric Risberg / AP

The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers stand for a moment…

Paul Alfaro, center, a Los Angeles Dodgers fan from San Jose, Calif., reaches for his wallet to make a donation for Bryan Stow, the paramedic who was beaten at Dodger Stadium earlier this month, before the San Francisco Giants’ baseball game against the Dodgers in San Francisco, Monday, April, 11, 2011. Collecting the donation at left is Whitney Hall, an emergency medical technician with Sacramento County. The Giants beefed up security for a three-game series against the Dodgers. Photo: Eric Risberg / AP

Paul Alfaro, center, a Los Angeles Dodgers fan from San Jose,…

Paramedic Lisa Haggerty, left, of San Jose, Calif., collects a donation for Bryan Stow, the paramedic who was beaten outside Dodger Stadium earlier this month, outside AT&T Park before the San Francisco Giants baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco, Monday, April, 11, 2011. The San Francisco Giants beefed up security for a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers less than two weeks after a fight at Dodger Stadium left a Giants fan in a medically induced coma. Photo: Eric Risberg / AP

Paramedic Lisa Haggerty, left, of San Jose, Calif., collects a…

San Francisco police officers gather outside AT&T Park before the San Francisco Giants’ baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco, Monday, April, 11, 2011. The Giants beefed up security for a three-game series against the Dodgers less than two weeks after a fight at Dodger Stadium left a Giants fan in a medically induced coma. Photo: Eric Risberg / AP

San Francisco police officers gather outside AT&T Park before the…

San Francisco police officers watch over fans arriving at AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants’ baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco, Monday, April, 11, 2011. The Giants beefed up security for a three-game series against the Dodgers less than two weeks after a fight at Dodger Stadium left a Giants fan in a medically induced coma. Photo: Eric Risberg / AP

San Francisco police officers watch over fans arriving at AT&T Park…

Mia Ochoa, 6, drops off cash as a donation for paramedic Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium Monday, April 11, 2011 in Los Angeles. Stow was brutally beaten in the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium following the season opener against the Giants. He remains in critical condition. Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP

Mia Ochoa, 6, drops off cash as a donation for paramedic Giants fan…

American Medical Response workers collect buckets with cash and checks for a fundraiser for paramedic Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium Monday, April 11, 2011 in Los Angeles. Stow was brutally beaten in the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium following the season opener against the Giants. He remains in critical condition. Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP

American Medical Response workers collect buckets with cash and…

Dodger fan cyclist Mike Harris drops off a donation for a fundraiser for paramedic Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium Monday, April 11, 2011 in los Angeles. Stow was brutally beaten in the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium following the season opener against the Giants. He remains in critical condition. Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP

Dodger fan cyclist Mike Harris drops off a donation for a…

Los Angeles Dodgers former coach Tommy Lasorda attends a fundraiser for paramedic Giants fan Bryan Stow at at Dodger Stadium Monday, April 11, 2011 in Los Angeles. Stow was brutally beaten in the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium following the season opener against the Giants. He remains in critical condition. Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP

Los Angeles Dodgers former coach Tommy Lasorda attends a fundraiser…