Update:
The Mets claimed there were “numerous inaccuracies” with a DNAinfo.com article stating they have slashed their security staff in recent years. (Matt Ehalt)
“There are numerous inaccuracies as to what’s been reported,” the Mets said in a statement. “While the details of our security are by their very nature confidential, the security of all who enter Citi Field is top priority.”
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According to a new report by DNAinfo, the New York Mets dramatically cut security staff at Citi Field in recent years despite concerns the moves would lead to increased response times for emergencies and fights as well as longer wait times at ticket gates, internal documents show.
The report claims budget cuts between 2009 and 2013 led management to pare down the number of security guards, security supervisors and NYPD officers during home games by roughly 29 percent, according to the documents.
The average number of security guards at a game decreased from 186 in 2009 to about 130 in 2013, the documents show. During that period, the average number of security supervisors at a game shrunk from 43 to 34, and the average number of NYPD officers dropped from 16 to 10.
“Due to the cut backs in the budget (2013) we will be unable to maintain the high quality of security that the ballplayers, guests and staff are accustom (sic) to,” a budget report reads. “In addition the greetings at the gates, exchange of pleasantries at the gates and along with the quality (sic) of the searching (sic) at the gates will be reduced.”
Former Mets event staff director, Bruce Smith, prepared the budget report for Robert Kasdon, the Mets vice president of security, according the legal filing. Smith oversaw security personnel and payroll.
The report points out in bullet form the repercussions of fewer security guards. It warns that “response time will be up,” that there will be “more altercations (sic) with fans,” “more lawsuits,” “more complaints about service,” and that “searches will have to be cut back on to get fans in.”
The cuts also meant key sections of Citi Field would have fewer guards — and some would be completely unsupervised, according to the report.
Last summer, Smith, Carlino, McMahon and Shatinksy filed complaints with the Human Rights Division, claiming Queens Ballpark fired them because of their age.
However Queens Ballpark countered in a September 2014 response that none of the employees were fired due to age or sex discrimination and said Smith was terminated after an internal investigation found he had altered time cards for himself, his wife and Deveau.
Read the full report here.
