Eden Prairie schools adding more security measures at football games
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Quick Read
Eden Prairie school officials say additional security measures will be in place for the rest of the high school football season, following the shooting outside the stadium earlier this month that injured two people.
That extra security begins with Wednesday night’s football game against Eastview.
“We have been and will continue working to restore the collective sense of safety taken from us by the violent actions of a few. We are taking immediate, decisive action to ensure our schools and events remain safe spaces,” Eden Prairie Superintendent Josh Swanson said in a message to the school community.
Swanson said more police and security will be on hand, and there will be only two stadium entrances — both with metal detectors. There’s no re-entry, and no admission after halftime.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
There’s also a ban on large bags and backpacks. And high school students who want to attend Wednesday’s game will need to show a valid student ID from either Eden Prairie or Eastview.
The school district has posted a complete list of stadium rules and policies on its website.
“By taking these steps and our ongoing attention to safety and security, I believe we can begin to re-establish the excitement and engagement at activities and events for our students, families, staff and community,” Swanson wrote. “When violence disrupts our feelings of safety, we believe it’s important to help our community return to a sense of normalcy — which we do through implementing strong plans, setting clear expectations and having consistent enforcement.”
School officials said the extra security will continue into the upcoming basketball season. The district said it’s prioritizing changes for football and basketball games because they draw the largest crowds — but said it’s also “continuing to review and update procedures for all events and activities.”
The district is also planning a community event to discuss the added safety measures; the date of that meeting has not been announced.
The heightened attention on security comes after the Oct. 2 fight and subsequent shooting outside the stadium that injured two people and prompted the evacuation of Eden Prairie’s homecoming game against Minnetonka.
Five people have been charged in that incident, including the suspected gunman — an 18-year-old Minneapolis man who is facing felony charges. Four other men, ages 18 to 20 and from across the Twin Cities metro area, are charged with third-degree riot — a gross misdemeanor. One of the men charged was one of the two people wounded in the shooting.
