BRADENTON — Lines of fans fluidly moved in front of Manatee High School entering Hawkins Stadium despite the increased security measures put in place after a teen was killed after a football game two weeks ago.
About 20 uniformed law enforcement officers from Bradenton Police Department and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office were on scene watching as school officials took metal detector wands and waved them over people at the main gate about an hour before kickoff between Southeast High School and Manatee High School.
Manatee High School Principal Bob Gagnon wanded fans with tickets coming in through one of three lines at the main gate.
“We’re trying to go fast. We don’t want to inconvenience people,” he said.
School staff went through the lines, telling people to remove cell phones and keys. No backpacks were allowed inside.
But most people did not seem to mind the safety measures.
School officials released a statement this week stating the increased security would become a normal part of the games, that fans should arrive early and maybe expect an increase in ticket prices to offset the costs.
“This is great. We need the increased security. We don’t need no one getting shot or any of that foolishness,” said Nateace Bennett, 23, of Bradenton as she stood in line. “If you don’t like it, you must be on the wrong team.”
Bennett, who was in line at about 6:40 p.m., waited about five minutes to go through the line and purchase tickets.
The increased safety measures came after 17-year-old Jasmine Thompson, a Bayshore High School cheerleader, was fatally shot sitting in a car about 30 minutes after a Southeast-Palmetto football game on a street near Southeast High. Deputies arrested 18-year-old Daniel Williams after witnesses said he recklessly fired a gun toward the vehicle.
Since then, the community has been outraged at the teen’s death as well as the record number of 27 homicides investigated this year in the county.
“We want to take every precaution. We have the county’s most precious commodity. Our kids are here,” Gagnon said.
Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski said he heard few complaints about the increased safety measures.
“Everyone seems happy. It’s probably good to give everyone a sense of security so they can enjoy themselves and have fun,” he said.
Officers were on site the entire game, and they planned to stay until all fans were gone.
Aside from officers standing outside the gates and inside the stadium, law enforcement also watched the area, riding bicycles and patrolling in cars.
Christena Rohrbacher, 15, a sophomore at Manatee High, waited in line at about 7 p.m. Friday.
“I think it won’t hurt to have the security here,” she said.
She said the increased police presence made her family feel better about her attending the game.
