ROCHESTER, N.Y. — To keep trouble from ruining high school football games, the Rochester school district's rolling out a new ticketing and security plan.
This is in direct response to an incident at last Saturday's game between Wilson and East High, where the game had to be suspended at halftime after teens from other schools were fighting in the stands.
Staffing will be doubled at both Wilson and East's homecoming games this weekend to support a new ticketing plan.
All students from the schools in action can buy tickets.
Those under 18 who do not attend the schools playing can only enter if they are accompanied by students from the schools playing or by an adult.
Students from each school will also be able to buy presale tickets.
"Basically what we're doing is identifying those of the small population that we don't want there, because that's going to come with some complications," said Ramond Mayoliz of Pathways For Peace, which will help RCSD and the RPD support the effort. "It's gonna hold a lot more people accountable for safety and security of the games."
Students from each school competing in the games will be able to purchase advance tickets. Gates will open an hour before kickoff. Rochester school leaders will develop a district-wide plan after reviewing the results from this weekend's games at East High and Marina Auto Stadium.
The Rochester Police Department announced earlier this week that it will be reviewing and approving security plans for all events sponsored by or taking place at schools for which they will be providing security as another measure to keep students safe.