Students, alum adjusts to gameday security

Due to the September 9 shooting of 59-year-old Freddie Jackson on Harding Boulevard, the Southern University Police Department and Chancellor Edward Jackson agreed to modify safety enforcements made for home football games.
Those changes, implemented during Saturday’s game against North Carolina Central, resulted in student gate attendants searching handbags, wallets and other items with metal detectors before attendees entered A. W. Mumford Stadium.
“The metal detectors were purchased by SUPD and issued to the gate attendants for game day,” said Kevin Johnson, deputy administrator for the Southern University Police Department.
Some of the items attendees were prohibited from carrying inside the game included weapons, liquids, fire hazards objects, umbrellas and objects with metal devises.
“SU police department should be commended for this idea toward the safety of Southern University students and fans,” said Ray Harbor, one of the student gate attendants from Baton Rouge.
The Jaguars home game kicked off at 6 p.m. in Mumford Stadium. Upon entering the game, students were searched and required to show appropriate identification.
“I think it’s good SUPD is ‘tighten-up’ on security on campus especially with the shooting and gang fights from last home game,” said Alicia Encalade, a sophomore nursing major from Plaquemine. “Now I can come to enjoy the home games without worrying about something happening to me.”
Still, other fans feel that the modifications are appreciated but disappointing in order to enjoy a football game.
“I love Southern University football team, but I’m saddened because the police department had to make extreme adjustments just so fans and opponents’ fans can be safe to attend a football game,” said Juanita Alexander, a Southern alumnus from Zachary. “This shouldn’t be (going on) at a university such as this.”
Very few students displayed expressions of shock while they entered the gate and were subjected to searches and metal detector body scans.
Aubrey Adams, a sophomore marketing major from Birmingham, Ala., said, “This change was new to me, but I have to admit, compared to the last home game, the coordination of students entering the game was better and securer for students.”
While still others are not aware of the modifications taken with the metal detectors, parents and fans think differently.
Debbie Perkins, a supporting Jaguar parent from Gonzales said, “The initiative that took place for the SU home games was a great method.”
“As opposed to last home game, I noticed people littering, defacing (the) beauty of the campus,” Perkins said. “In these cases, desperate time calls for desperate measures and enforcing the security ensures the safety of the fans and a cleaner environment for people to enjoy themselves.”