Pittsburgh School District Implements Stringent Safety Measures After Triple Shooting

PITTSBURGH, PA — Additional safety measures are going into effect at a Pittsburgh Public Schools stadium after three students were shot outside of it following an Oct. 1 high school football game.

The changes at George Cupples Stadium on the South Side, include expanded adult supervision requirements, student identification procedures and the implementation of a clear plastic bag policy.

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The safety measures, announced Wednesday, are effective immediately and go along with existing security procedures such as metal detectors and PPS School Safety Personnel and Pittsburgh police presences.

"Our students should be able to participate in and attend athletic events in an environment where they feel safe, supported and able to enjoy the experience," Superintendent Wayne Walters said in a statement.

"These additional measures strengthen the protocols already in place and establish clear expectations for students, families and visitors. We appreciate our families and community partners working with us to help maintain a safe environment inside and around Cupples Stadium."

Beginning Thursday, the following enhanced procedures will be in place:

• Adult Chaperones: All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older to enter Cupples Stadium. The supervising adult must remain in the
stadium throughout the event. Students under 18 who arrive without an adult chaperone will not be admitted.

• High School Student Identification: All PPS high school students must present a valid PPS student ID to enter the stadium. High school students attending from outside PPS
must present a current student ID from their school. The adult chaperone requirement does not replace the student ID requirement.

• Student Restrictions: Students who are suspended from school or otherwise prohibited from attending an athletic event will not be admitted.

• Gate Closure: Home and away gates will close at the beginning of the third quarter. No additional spectators will be admitted after the gates close.

• Restricted Items: Outside food, drinks and drinking containers, including Yeti, Stanley, Gatorade and similar containers, are prohibited. Only unopened bottles of water will be permitted.

Beginning with the October 15 football games, PPS will also implement a clear bag policy at Cupples Stadium. Spectators will be permitted to bring only clear bags into the stadium. Players, coaches and authorized staff participating in the event will be exempt from the clear bag requirement. Book bags and backpacks are not permitted.

In addition to the enhanced entry procedures, parking along 9th Street from McArdle Roadway to East Carson Street will be restricted. Families and visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and follow posted parking restrictions.

At the conclusion of games, students are expected to leave the stadium promptly and travel directly home. Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses will be in service outside the stadium to assist students traveling Downtown or eastbound along Carson Street.

"We recognize that these changes will require some families to make different arrangements when students attend games," Walters said. "We believe these additional precautions are
appropriate steps to strengthen safety while preserving the opportunity for our students and community to come together and support our student-athletes."