BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Spectators who attend football games at Donald Gardner Stadium this season should be prepared to encounter stricter security procedures starting Friday night.
St. Landry Parish School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins told board members at a Thursday night meeting that he intends to reveal next week what he said are new spectator protocols during games hosted by parish public schools.
Earlier this week the Opelousas Catholice Facebook page contained new regulations for those who attend the school’s home football games.
The OCS social media notification obtained by St. Landry Now indicates the school is following new procedures that are being implemented by Opelousas city officials.
Security questions about attending football games in Opelousas became a concern following the cancellation last Friday night for over one third of the annual St. Landry Parish Football Jamboree held annually at Donald Gardner Stadium.
Jenkins and Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor decided to end the Northwest-Opelousas contest due to what they said were safety concerns.
A scheduled jamboree game between Eunice and Beau Chene was never played, following the decision by parish school and cit officials.
Parish School Response
Jenkins told board members that ending the jamboree prematurely was done in order to “keep everyone safe.”
Claims of weapon possessions or gunfire occurring either at the game or outside the stadium were denied by Jenkins again on Thursday night.
Jenkins added that he plans to announce what he described as “protocol changes” for attending games.
More information on those proposed procedures could come as early as Tuesday either in a press release or press conference, Jenkins said.
“We are still working out the details with the city on this, but we plan to have that out soon,” Jenkins added.
Several board members agreed there is a need for increased game security.
“Something needs to be done. They’re shooting all over this parish and that’s not limited to just Opelousas,” board member Milton Ambres said after the meeting.
Revised OCS Spectator Procedures
At OCS home games the new spectators’ policies include requiring see through purses and bags and metal detector scanning for persons entering the games.
“No cups or bottles of any kind may be brought into the stadium and there will be no re-entry for any reason,” according to the school Facebook page.
The Facebook post also includes rules and restrictions for stadium parking and tailgating.
Opelousas Catholic is scheduled to host Oak Grove in a season opener Friday night.
