Streaker punishment no bum rap, say stadium officials
Last Updated: Thursday, September 6, 2007 | 9:26 AM MT
CBC News
Football fans who bare it all don't realize the sort of trouble they face, warn Calgary Stampeders brass and McMahon Stadium officials, who are meeting Thursday to discuss ways to discourage streaking.
During Monday's Labour Day Classic between the Stampeders and the Edmonton Eskimos in Calgary, seven men attempted to run naked onto the stadium field. Five were stopped by security, but two managed to get onto the turf before they were wrestled to the ground and hauled away.
"That was a new experience for us, definitely," said John Haverstock, the stadium manager on Wednesday.
Not only is streaking a lewd prank that offends most of the fans, the culprits are thrown in jail for the night and face charges, he said.
"I don't know if there is an impression that they think they are just going to be kicked out of the stadium or something, but there are real consequences."
On Wednesday four of the men arrested, all from Calgary and between the ages of 18 and 28, were arrested and charged with performing an indecent exhibition in a public place. That is a criminal code offence punishable with a six-month jail sentence or a $2,000 fine.
A fifth man, who was partially clothed, was charged with possession of drugs.
After announcing the charges, Calgary police issued a warning about streaking, calling it unacceptable behaviour, especially since the 35,000 fans in the stadium included children.
A conviction under Canada's criminal code has serious repercussions, said Insp. Guy Slater with the Calgary Police Service.
"Criminally it may affect travel, and personally it may affect employment or any other avenue that is being pursued by an individual."
