From Cleveland Scene: 

A police source has informed Scene that the mysterious muni lot open container crackdown has come entirely at the behest of the Browns themselves. The Browns want people walking up to the stadium and partying there, the source says, though that’s clearly not what fans want.

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Cimperman repeatedly refuted the notion that council o- or covertly ordered more stringent policing. And after our intel from the police, it seems likely that the Browns are behind it.  

The going conspiracy theory isn’t even a conspiracy theory anymore. And it never should have been. It’s 100 percent in keeping with Cleveland’s typical balance of power. The Browns organization, in a systematic effort, intend to get fans out of the muni lot and into the stadium earlier, to enjoy “unique gameday experiences” (via Browns PR) and partake of new “activation spaces that provide fans an innovative gameday environment that also matches each partner’s (aka DODGE! FORD! BUD LIGHT! PEPSI! etc.) personality and vision.”  

First things first, I think this article is bullshit. I don’t think the recent rules enforcements are coming from the Browns So take everything you just read with a grain of salt. That being said, if this is true it’s an asinine decision by the Browns brass here. Right when things are starting to feel like they’re turning around and there’s some goodwill in this city, they do something like this to completely piss off the most diehard segment of their fanbase. I don’t get it. No one wants to go to the tailgate next to the stadium unless you have kids or are over the age of 50.

I went to the tailgate by the stadium before the Browns-Rams preseason game and it sucked. Not only did they run out of beer an hour before kickoff, the whole vibe was just too family oriented. The ONLY good part was beating my roommate at the football toss. What an idiot. You don’t bet anything football related against a former backup high school quarterback. He stills owes me a beer by the way…

When I go downtown before a Browns game I’m not looking for family friendly fun. I’m looking for a party. I want debauchery. I want loud music. I want flowing beer and liquor. I want thousands of deranged fans drinking their faces off in a parking lot celebrating a Browns home game. It’s a place where Cleveland can come together and party even if the Browns are playing like dog shit…  I’m looking for cases of Bud Light, grills filled with all your favorite fall pregame foods, red solo cups, shotskis, motorized couches and Dawg Pound buses. I don’t want some corporate sponsored tailgate where 12 oz. beers are $5 each and everyone is standing around with their thumbs up their asses while some local cover band plays “Pour Some Sugar On Me” onstage. That’s not how the city of Cleveland tailgates.

Here’s hoping someone from the Browns/Cleveland city hall steps up and says enough is enough. Quit the Mickey Mouse antics. Cut the shit.

The Muni Lot has thrived for 40 years without any interference. Let us have our Lot back. Last time I checked this is America. My two grandfathers didn’t fight in World War II for this shit. If OJ can get away with murder, why can’t we have our parking lot?

UPDATE: Browns President Alec Scheiner disputes Cleveland Scene’s article