Columbia Public Schools makes small adjustment to event security policy
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Friday marks week one of high school football season, a time in Columbia and across the state battle week-to-week to ultimately land a seat in the championship.
The games bring an influx of excited fans each week at each Columbia high school. Columbia Public School has had a bag policy for several years, requiring people coming to watch the games to bring a clear bag. Small clutches or wallets will be allowed inside.
CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark told ABC 17 News via email that CPS is now allowing fans to bring in sealed or unopened water bottles to games and events this year.
Samantha Symonds works as the Assistant Principal of Activities and Athletics at Battle High School. Symonds said using the policy at games last year went smoothly, but the school ran into a few hiccups reaching people who were not from Columbia.
“We tried to put it on social media everywhere we could, but it was hard to reach some of those people that aren’t directly connected with Battle or with that game,” Symonds said. “Some of them showed up and it was a surprise and they’d get a little frustrated.”
Symonds said the district is also working to clarify that people can bring diaper bags to games, but should be prepared for them to be searched.
“We had a lot of parents coming in with like Ziploc bags and wipes and stuff and it was a little difficult on them,” Symonds said. “I think it’s necessary just because you see so many things happening on the news and everything, I think now is the time to do it.”
According to Symonds, Battle High School will also utilize weapons detection systems at all crosstown rivalry games as an extra precaution, due to the large crowds the games bring in. Symonds said Battle High School did not run into any problems with people attempting to bring in a weapon to games last year.
According to the district’s policy, re-entry to games and events will not be allowed. All bags will also be searched.
Columbia Police Department Assistant Chief Mark Fitzgerald also told ABC 17 News the department collaborates with CPS for games throughout the year.
“We have school resource officers that typically go to all of the home football games and we have relationships with CPS where we actually have additional off-duty officers that go to most of the games,” Fitzgerald said.