Green Bay police are "stepping up their efforts to reduce" the number of alcohol-related incidents at Lambeau Field, prompted by "lessons learned at events" ranging from a Kenny Chesney concert in '11 to recent Packers games, according to Doug Schneider of the GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE. The changes "range from collecting data on the level of intoxication of problem fans, to changing gear so that officers are more visible yet can be more comfortable, to having a transport van on site to speed the time in which troublemakers are moved from the stadium to the Brown County Jail." The moves are being made to "reduce the chance that the small percentage of people who get out of hand at concerts and Packers games will ruin the experience for the majority who are well-behaved." Some of the changes "are new, while others have been rolled out in the past year or two." They include "capturing blood-alcohol levels of people being arrested or ejected, and making the data available to officers through the department." Green Bay Police Capt. Paul Ebel said that this will "help police and the Packers better identify the source of alcohol-related issues -- for example, determining whether people are overimbibing before entering the stadium, or are being overserved at the concession stands -- and act to resolve them." Schneider reported other changes include "bringing the jail-transport van to the stadium before events that have been shown to yield high numbers of incidents" and "putting officers in bright, reflective clothing so that they're easier for fans and fellow cops to spot." Certain things "won't change," as officers at the entrance gates "still have the right to refuse entry to fans who are highly intoxicated." Figures from the last three seasons show that during a typical Packers season, police will "make about 85 arrests and eject about 320 fans" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 7/11).
