August 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Former Dodgers Executive Explains Choice of Off-Duty LAPD Uniform

 

Ramon Maytorena testified that he thought civilian attire was the wiser alternative.
Ramon Maytorena testified that he thought civilian attire was the wiser alternative.

The former Dodgers executive who made the decision to have more off-duty Los Angeles police officers wear polo shirts rather than regular uniforms during selected games testified by video deposition today that he thought the civilian attire could diffuse potential trouble.

Ramon Maytorena, the team’s vice president of security from October 2008 until December 2010, said he believed troublemakers would not respect security personnel wearing police uniforms and badges and that such attire could escalate negative situations.

Maytorena was called as a defense witness in the final day of testimony in the Los Angeles Superior Court trial of a negligence lawsuit filed against former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Los Angeles Dodgers LLC on behalf of Bryan Stow, who suffered permanent brain damage in a beating in a stadium parking lot.

Stow was in court today for the first time in several weeks. The 45-year- old former paramedic listened as Maytorena said that while the number of incidents fell after more officers began wearing polo shirts, for some games it was still better to have a higher presence of personnel in regular police uniforms.

Maytorena, a former Secret Service agent, also said gang-related problems declined during his tenure and that there were no violent incidents in parking lot 2, where Stow was attacked by two Dodger fans after the opening day game against the rival San Francisco Giants on March 31, 2011.

Maytorena had left the Dodgers by that time and now lives in Arizona.

Security training underwent consistent review while he was in charge, Maytorena said. Security guards re-enacted such situations as a person needing first aid as well as how to best handle fans using foul language, Maytorena said.

Instead of counseling guests at their seats for making offensive remarks, ushers began escorting them up to a concourse area so that a security manager could try to convince them to change their behavior, Maytorena said.

Stow, in Giants gear, was punched from behind by Dodger fan Louie Sanchez after the home opener between the longtime rivals. Sanchez and his friend, Marvin Norwood, then kicked the Northern California father of two after he fell to the ground.

Stow’s attorneys maintain security was insufficient inside and outside of the stadium and that no officers or guards were present in lot 2 when Stow was attacked.

Stow’s attorneys maintain that his assailants should have been kicked out of Dodger Stadium hours earlier for unruly behavior and that more uniformed security within the stadium could have acted as a deterrent to their misconduct.

Rialto residents Sanchez, 31, and Norwood, 33, pleaded guilty in January to carrying out the attack on Stow and were sentenced to eight- and four-year terms, respectively. They are also both facing a federal weapons charge that could land them in a federal lockup for up to 10 years.

Defense attorneys say Sanchez, Norwood and Stow are to blame for his injuries. They assert Stow was drunk, gestured toward his assailants and made sarcastic remarks. McCourt filed a cross-complaint against Norwood and Sanchez that is being tried along with Stow’s case.

Several witnesses for Stow, however, have denied during the trial that he antagonized his assailants.

Related Posts

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...