Following a recent shooting incident near a high school football game in Turtle Creek, the Penn Hills School District is implementing new security measures during its home football games. In an officially released letter, Superintendent John Mozzocio outlined the plan, which includes stricter site entry standards, pre-sale ticket requirements, and an increased security presence at Yuhas-McGinley Stadium, as reported by TribLIVE.
Penn Hills students attending Friday's game against North Allegheny must purchase tickets in advance during a school pre-sale and show their student ID to enter the stadium. Students without pre-sale tickets will need a parent or guardian at the gate to buy a ticket, and all K-8 students have to be accompanied by an adult during the game according to Mozzocio's statement. Following the disturbing event at Turtle Creek, where a man was shot in the leg after leaving the Woodland Hills-Penn Hills game and sought help at the stadium causing confusion and panic amongst spectators, these measures aim to strengthen the safety of students and attendees.
The shooting, which did not involve Penn Hills High School students, suspended the Woodland Hills-Penn Hills football game and ended in the stadium being evacuated. The victim managed to get medical attention and was later released from the hospital. While there have been no arrests announced in connection with the shooting, the school district is taking precautionary steps to prevent future incidents. Mozzocio ensured that counselors would be available for students and staff on Tuesday, post-incident, as per the CBS News Pittsburgh report.
To address these overall concerns, other local school districts, such as Jeannette City and Greensburg Salem, are also reinforcing their policies by ensuring younger students attending games are accompanied by adults.
