Parents, students weigh in on use of metal detectors at North East ISD sporting events

NEISD begins using metal detectors at all varsity sporting events

SAN ANTONIO – The annual “Gucci Bowl” football game between Churchill and Clark always draws a large crowd, and Thursday night’s game at Comalander Stadium was no exception. Long lines formed outside the stadium gates, but the procedure was a little different from years past now that North East ISD has metal detectors at all varsity events.

“It's kind of a weird change, but I think it's for the better,” said Clark High School senior Evan Goldberg, who also said he wouldn’t be surprised if Northside ISD added them in the near future.

“The lines seem pretty long to me, but I'm okay,” added Churchill parent Giovanna Albrecht. “We got here early enough and it's safer, so I'm good with it.”

Not everyone was aware of the change before they arrived, but while it added to the wait time to get in, most people saw the detectors as a positive.

“It just makes you feel a little bit more secure,” said Churchill parent Barb Miller. “It's a pretty vulnerable venue, and it makes you feel like you're being taken care of.”

“It is an inconvenience, but I totally get it. It's where we are in the world right now,” added Sharon Durham, another Churchill parent. “Whether it's people that have bad intentions or bad judgement, either one.”

NEISD spokesman Aubrey Chancellor said the district discussed the use of metal detectors last year and decided to begin using them this year at all varsity events.