Security upgrades shake up sense of innocence
Innocence died yesterday and not unexpectedly.
Death materialized as fans filtered into the Cure Insurance Arena for Mercer County a Tournament boys and girls semifinal basketball action. Metal detectors framed every entrance as security personnel requested removal of keys and other items while women offered their purses for perusal.
Donald and Elizabeth Huff of Lawrenceville supported increased security efforts.
“It’s almost inevitable considering what’s happening in the country. I’m for it,” Elizabeth Huff said.
Her husband agreed. “I have no problem with this, whatsoever. We have to protect our children and our schools. I don’t like all that we have to do to get on a plane though.”
Richard Roche, athletic director for Notre Dame, expressed discomfort.
“You don’t want to see all the security checks for high school but it’s coming. We like to think our lives play out in rose gardens, that violence will not happen in our bubbles. We know that’s not true,” Roche said.
Mike and Patty, a retired couple from Ewing Twp. called “regrettable” current circumstances regarding school shootings and community safety.
“It’s not the life that we lived in our prime,” Mike said. He added another complaint about $10 for parking and exorbitant food prices inside Cure Arena.
Trenton Central High School lists as a local high school that employs a metal detector, security guards and police during home games at Rivera Middle School.
The general consensus at Cure Insurance Arena underscored a need for upgraded security measures for most high school activities.