The Red Sox’s win over archrival New York Yankees in Game 7 of the league championship series turned ugly outside Boston’s Fenway Park. Rowdy celebrants climbed trees and poles, and lit cars on fire. Police used pellet guns with rubber bullets to try to force crowds out of the area, one of which struck and killed Victoria Snelgrove, a 21-year-old college student.
In many cases of spectator-related violence, alcohol is the trigger that alters behaviors and actions, says Naylor. “You already have groups and crowds and emotion,” he says. “Throw in alcohol, and you’re not so bright.”
Boston Mayor Tom Menino implied as much after the melee, when he said: "We're going to have to take some drastic measures since people won't act responsibly. I as mayor will take it into my own hands, and probably ban liquor being sold in bars and, once the game starts, bar TV cameras in the bars during the games – try to do everything we can to keep the peace."
