Threatened Brawl at St. Cloud Tech Homecoming Game May Be Behind New Security Rules

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud Police Department press release points to a possible reason behind the school district’s sudden security changes at fall football and soccer games, a threatened large fight at St. Cloud Tech’s homecoming game this Friday.

According to police, the school resource officer assigned to Tech High School was told about a social media post warning of a large, planned fight at the game at about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 6th. The next day, St. Cloud Area School District 742 announced metal detectors, bag searches and earlier start times for every football and soccer game for the rest of the fall season, beginning Friday.

KNSI News asked both the district and police whether the threat prompted the changes. St. Cloud Police Commander Martin Sayre told KNSI News that’s a question for the district.

In an emailed statement, Superintendent Laurie Putnam did not address the threat directly.

“Like communities across Minnesota, we have seen an increase in safety-related incidents across our state and here at home,” Putnam said. “In response, and out of care for everyone who attends, we are putting new safety procedures in place for the remainder of some of our fall activities.

No weapons were mentioned in the threat. Police say they are working to determine whether the post is credible and will help with security at Friday’s game, on top of the safety measures the district has already added. The case remains under active investigation, and police say no other details are available.

Starting Friday, every spectator at district football and soccer games will walk through a metal detector at the gate, and anyone who sets off an alert will get additional screening. Only clear bags or small bags no larger than five inches by eight inches will be allowed, and every bag will be searched.

All football and soccer games will also start at 4:30 p.m., and fans will be expected to leave the facility and grounds promptly after the game ends. The district is encouraging spectators to arrive early, bring only what they need, and talk with their children about the new expectations before attending.

“Our games bring our school communities together, and we want every student, family member, and fan to feel safe when they come to cheer and support our student athletes,” Putnam said.

The district’s announcement came less than a week after two people were shot outside Eden Prairie’s homecoming game in what police there have called a gang-related shooting.

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