Cleveland police: Muni lot signs are not sign of crackdown and message is not new

CLEVELAND - Friday afternoon, several hours before the Browns first home preseason game kicks off, fans tailgating in the Muni lot looked over new signs.

The old black and white signs read "no alcohol." The new red and white signs erected last week deliver the same message with more specific wording like no alcohol consumption.

Cleveland Police spokesperson Jennifer Ciaccia said the signs are not a sign of a crackdown planned on tailgaters tonight, but a reminder that drinking alcohol on city property is not permitted and can be enforced.

Ciaccia said police patrol the parking lot which has 2,000 parking spaces to maintain control and the worst offenders will be cited or arrested.

Ciaccia said the no alcohol signs have been posted there for years, but new signs replaced some of the old rusty signs.

The muni lot has had its share of rowdy fans causing some trouble over the years and led to some people complaining that too much drinking goes on before Browns games.

In 2010, Cleveland Safety Director Marty Flask told NewsChannel5 tailgating is not a right and can be taken away by the city if things get out of hand. Flask even wondered if allowing tailgating on city property was a good policy after an out of town football fan claimed to be roughed up by some rowdy Browns fans.

Several hours before kickoff Friday afternoon, fans were busy setting up their tailgate parties, playing football catch and some were seen playing drinking games like beer pong just yards from the new signs.