Talladega College police chief outlines homecoming safety plan
Chief says officers are more aware after shooting near Magic City Classic
TALLADEGA, Ala. (WBRC) - Talladega College is holding its 159th homecoming this weekend, and while welcoming alumni, friends and family to campus, officials are working to keep everyone safe.
Talladega College Police Chief Chris Anderson said it takes months to organize safety plans for homecoming events.
Magic City Classic shooting prompts re-evaluation
Last week, 9 people were shot in two shootings near the Magic City Classic game in Birmingham.
The shooting killed one person and left another in critical condition.
Anderson said the incident made his team re-evaluate its plan. He said officers are more aware this weekend.
“We have a heightened awareness around our events this week and we’ve also maintained that we are not here to interfere with the celebration.”
Anderson also said the role of university police is to keep events safe, not to change them.
“Safety isn’t just on law enforcement and security. It’s also bolstered by the people that are there. So if you see anything going wrong, it’s best to say something and notify law enforcement,” Anderson said.
Agency partnerships
Anderson said working with other agencies is key to keeping everyone safe.
“We have campus police, security personnel, local officers, traffic control people, emergency response personnel. We are here to make sure you enjoy the event. We are also here to make sure you enjoy the event safely,” said Anderson.
According to Anderson, there have been no major incidents at the college.
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