Published: November 07, 2009 11:43 pm      

Police watch over jam-packed stadium

Law enforcement professionals ready to act if things get ugly

CUMBERLAND — Considered by many to be Cumberland’s signature event, the Homecoming game between Allegany and Fort Hill also has the potential for crime, packing 8,000 to 10,000 people into and around the classic high school football stadium on Greenway Avenue.

Because of that, this red, white and blue piece of Americana — complete with teen-aged stars and the stripes of referees — was closely watched Saturday by a cadre of law enforcement professionals, some of whom were highly visible and some of whom were not.

“Thirty years ago you wouldn’t have to take these precautions, but in light of things going on in the world, such as the Fort Hood incident this week, we don’t take any chances,” said Bob Farrell the Allegany County Board of Education’s coordinator of security, awaiting the 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

At 11:30 a.m., as stands were starting to fill and players were stretching, Farrell and Sgt. Rick Virts of the Cumberland Police Department were checking a surveillance camera mounted on the school.

“You can read the name on someone’s flip flop,” Farrell said of the 30-power camera.

Eighteen city police officers were at the stadium, including two at each gate. The city’s mobile police van was parked behind the press box.

“We have denied entrance in past years to individuals who were intoxicated,” said Lt. Rocky Reed.

Farrell said school system staff are also stationed at the gates.

“There are certain people who are banned from school properties,” Farrell said. “We put staff at gates who would recognize them.”

Now in his third year as the city’s police chief, Charles Hinnant said that in most instances a warning from an officer is enough to correct a person who is acting up. “I think the lack of problems at this large event is a reflection of the community in which we live,” Hinnant said. “We want people to have a good time, to enjoy the game.”

Hinnant expected that the perfect football weather and the good records of both teams would swell the attendance.

Besides city officers, Allegany County Bureau of Police constables were in the area and ready to respond if needed, according to Farrell. “We also have a dog that was brought in from Mineral County (W.Va.),” he said. “We have not had any threats. Also, we policed the area (Friday) night and no problems were found.”

Hinnant said that the school resource officers — Cpl. Jim Hott at Fort Hill and Pfc. Chris Fraley at Allegany — were invaluable in planning security for the game.

“They have a very good feel for what is going on at each school,” he said.

Contact Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.