Gun incidents force ISSA to discuss security at football matches
The Inter-Secondary School Sports Association says it will be paying more attention to security at football matches following two incidents over the weekend.
President Keith Wellington said the incidents have heightened concerns and security is something the group will have to look into.
On Saturday, a man was held with an illegal firearm after leaving a daCosta Cup football match between Alphansus Davis (formerly Spalding high) and Holmwood Technical in Spalding, Clarendon.
READ: daCosta Cup spectator held with gun after leaving match
On Sunday, three people were shot dead and six others injured at a football match in Spring Village, St Catherine.
WATCH: 3 dead after gunmen open fire at football match in St Catherine
“I wasn’t aware of the situation in Spalding, but I would have heard of of the situation in Spring Village, and it raises concern because we have a culture of copycatting so it is something we will have to discuss. We have to pay close attention to security at games,” Wellington told OBSERVER ONLINE.
The ISSA president explained that security in the preliminary rounds of schoolboy football games is controlled by the individual schools, who are to make arrangements as they are responsible for the well-being of students and patrons.
“We have an arrangement with the JCF that at least two uniformed police officers should be at the games,” he said. “Obviously depending on the size of the game and the venue, the arrangements are made locally.”
Wellington said all schools basically have metal detectors so it should not be too much to ask them to do searches at the entrance of their venues.
Meanwhile, George Henry, principal of Alphansus Davis high, said the school will now step up its security at schoolboy football matches.
“Going forward we will be using our metal detectors and will search all spectators entering the venue, especially those who are not students,” he revealed.
Henry, who is also a member of the ISSA executive, confirmed that for last Saturday’s match security personnel were at the gate and policemen were at the venue. He said random searches were conducted.
