Washington opts for security firm at football games
NSA Security Forces will be providing security for tonight’s football game between Washington and McGuffey at Wash High Stadium.
Students from Washington High School sing the alma mater before a game at Wash High Stadium.
Washington High School’s varsity football game against McGuffey Friday is expected to be the most well-attended game of the year for both schools.
The competition between rivals will also be the first time in decades Washington police will not provide security for the home team.
Washington School District board members voted unanimously Monday to retain NSA Security Forces for football game security, ending a decadeslong relationship with city police.
“We have a diverse audience, age-level wise, with cross generations at games,” said Dr. Roberta P. DiLorenzo, Washington School District superintendent. “We have a lot of younger people walking around and moving around. It brings challenges to senior citizens. We found that these type of security agents, who do events in three to four other school districts, can deal with those types of actions. The police do a good job with the issues they can handle, but those issues (are) not really police issues. Police are there to address criminal activity and, frankly, we haven’t had any of that at our events.”
According to DiLorenzo, the district has not received specific complaints from fans, but she has heard incidents of students running around and congregating under bleachers. The district designated a play area near the scoreboard to help alleviate those activities.
“(The police) have certain things they can address,” she said. “People think they can address everything, but they have restrictions or limitations on what to get involved in. We need somebody who can step in there and move those kids along, kind of like teachers. It’s not a police task. We’ve had this conversation, and they’ve explained that’s really not their task. (The police) are there to prevent any serious criminal activity.”
Washington police Chief Chris Luppino said he was surprised to receive a letter Monday from the district’s athletic director, Joe Nicolella, stating the district no longer needed the department’s services.
Luppino said there have been several discussions between the department and the district concerning the role of police officers at school events. He said faculty and staff handled school policy issues and police would step in if the situation escalated to a law violation.
“That role changed,” Luppino said. “The school board wanted us not only to police the football game, but baby-sit the kids. Our purpose is not to enforce school policy. Our job is to protect and make any arrests. It’s not our duty or our right to enforce school policy.”
School board President Jeffrey Fine directed all questions to board member John Campbell Sr. Fine said the recommendation to hire NSA came from the activity department, of which Campbell is the chair.
Campbell did comment on the situation but said he would provide information after a future meeting with the police department.
The district will pay NSA $19 an hour for their services. City police were paid $30 an hour.
“Finances are always a consideration, but it wasn’t a major component,” DiLorenzo said. “It does appear as though it may be a cost savings, but you don’t know if you’ll need more security guards than police.”
NSA will provide seven to 10 guards for the game against McGuffey, then five to six at other games. City police had five to six officers on duty.
DiLorenzo said the district asked Luppino to provide additional officers for the Friday game, but there weren’t any available at such short notice.
“McGuffey found out (Washington) basically fired us and stated they wouldn’t play the game,” Luppino said. “It was too short of notice for us.”
DiLorenzo said both schools’ principals and athletic directors met Thursday to discuss the situation.
McGuffey Superintendent Dr. Erica L. Kolat did not return a phone call seeking comment.
“It’s not a problem. We’re all good to play Friday night,” DiLorenzo said. “The safety and security of our students is first and foremost. We’re doing everything we can to provide that.”
NSA’s proposal includes all high school events on an as-needed basis. DiLorenzo said the district will decide whether to use the firm for other events after seeing “how this goes.”
“Obviously, this came as a shock to us,” Luppino said. “It’s not our doing. We enjoy doing this. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the rest of (school) events. Hopefully, we can come to an understanding.”