Rushing the court

Wow, what a game – and it’s not over just yet. With the home team down by just one point, and six seconds remaining on the clock, there’s plenty of time for someone to get a shot off for the win.

Watching intently, the fans have already begun moving toward the aisles. After the upcoming shot attempt, they know they won’t be in their seats; they’ll either be heading toward the exits or down toward the court to celebrate with the players.

And joining the eager sports fans on the hardwood will be a swarm of peace officers looking to keep the situation under control.

Luckily for the fans, the officers won’t be looking to make too many arrests – so long as the exuberant crowd behaves itself.

‘To prosecute three to 4,000 people would be ridiculous,’ said Lt. John Sardino of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, who is in charge of special events and community resources and also helps head security at the Carrier Dome. ‘We just want to see people go home safe.’

Thus, most of the fans will go home – and not to jail – assuming no property is damaged. When something is damaged, however, prosecution is definitely in the cards, Sardino said.

But finding the vandalism culprit isn’t always an easy task, Sardino said, considering the officers’ biggest concern isn’t property damage but the safety of the fans instead.

‘The important thing is people show some patience and not trample people over,’ Sardino said. ‘(Rushing the court) is a phenomenon in this country that seems to be growing. If it runs smoothly, there’s no references to Judicial Affairs and no arrests made.’

So when the buzzer sounds and the shot banks in, feel free to go crazy, sports fans. Just make sure to slowly descend the stairs in a single-file line.

Published on November 29, 2004 at 12:00 pm