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Assume The Position At Oct. 12 Bucs Game

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By MIKE SALINERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

Updated: 09/27/2008 12:14 am

TAMPA - The Tampa Sports Authority plans to begin conducting pat-down searches again at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Oct. 12 home game against the Carolina Panthers.

No security searches have been held for three years at Raymond James Stadium, but the U.S. District Court in Tampa on Friday lifted an injunction banning them. The stadium has been the only NFL venue where the searches have not been conducted since the league started them in August 2005.

"We're planning on implementing them in time for the Carolina game," said Barbara Casey, spokeswoman for the Sports Authority, a public group that manages the stadium.

The District Court's action was expected after a federal appeals court ordered a halt to the injunction Monday. The searches were stopped after the second game of the 2005 season when Gordon Johnston, a high school government teacher, filed a lawsuit saying the pat-downs violated his constitutional rights.

"I'm disappointed that our constitutional rights have been trampled upon by the NFL," Johnston said about Friday's court decision.

Casey said the Sports Authority has about 90 people who were trained during the preseason to conduct the searches. The authority plans to give them some "refresher" training before the Carolina game.

"The bulk of the people we trained will be back and ready to do this," Casey said.

The searches for the most part are above the waist, although Casey said fans with bulky-looking pants pockets may be asked to empty them. All fans with hats will be asked to lift them, and women's purses will be searched. Men and women will be searched by people of their same sex.

Casey recommended fans get to the stadium early because the searches will delay entry into the stadium.

"We open an hour and half early so people have time to come in advance," she said. "And as usual, the less you bring the faster the line moves."

Johnston's attorney, Rebecca Steele of the American Civil Liberties Union, said she and her client still might ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

However, Steele said she has not filed the paperwork to start that process.

Johnston, a Bucs season ticket holder, said he plans to attend this Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers since no pat-downs are planned.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com

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