TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — With football season underway, thousands of fans are expected to fill Veterans Memorial Stadium over the next few weeks. However, with large crowds come added safety concerns.
The first home game of the season saw updated protocols to mitigate potential issues. University Athletics and the Troy University Police Department (TUPD) have established new tailgating policies, clear bag policies and updated signage purposed to keep fans aware.
TUPD Police Chief George Beaudry also reminds fans about the university’s weapons policies, which apply not only to students, but everyone on campus.
“Weapons, obviously, are not allowed on campus,” Beaudry said. “Anywhere, so we ask that everybody leave their guns at home. There’s no place for them here.”
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This season has also introduced a bigger role for TUPD Emergency Manager Trey Ingram.
“We actually have an emergency manager on staff,” Beaudry said. “He wrote a 28-page response plan that’s been distributed throughout athletics, throughout law enforcement, throughout fire.
“We have protocols in place. We just tell everybody just listen, just pay attention because it’s gonna come probably on the jumbotron and through your phones on SOS. If it’s weather related, same if it’s a man made type issue, any kind of a violent situation.”
Another safety consideration: extreme heat. Gamedays will be hot, and Beaudry said fans must be aware of the potential health risks that may come along with attending the games.
“Bear in mind that it’s gonna be extremely, like dangerously hot these first couple of home games so we really want people to take care of their health as well,” Beaudry said. “When you add alcohol to extreme temperatures we see a lot of medical emergencies.”
Updated tailgate and clear bag policies are posted on updated signage around the stadium and are available on the Troy Athletics website.
