Iredell-Statesville Schools boost safety for high school football season

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Friday night lights are coming alive across the Carolinas.

The start of the new high school football season brings changes to security at athletic events at Iredell-Statesville Schools. There are new rules about what fans can and cannot bring into games.

High school football kicks off Friday in North Carolina.

“It’s a pretty big deal. I mean, football’s big around here, I tell you they’re very serious about it for sure,” said Troy Trudeau, President of WTSA Security.

Trudeau’s company is responsible for security at athletic events for several area school districts, including Iredell-Statesville Schools.

“They always come out with a new rule that we’ve already talked about with our teams, but the parents don’t know,” said Trudeau.

This year, in ISS, there’s a change from last year when there were no bags allowed in at all.

This year, you cannot bring in bookbags or a diaper bag. You can use a Ziploc bag. The only requirement is that the bag is a clear one.

“It’s all about safety first and foremost,” said Trudeau.

The district made the switch to offer a more convenient but still safe option for fans.

Trudeau and his team have confiscated all kinds of items over the years.

“Lipstick that had a knife in it,” said Trudeau. “It’s mace that looks like lipstick and even pocketknives.”

Fans can take the items back to their cars.

Trudeau says that for people attending the games, having clear bags will probably be better than no bags at all.

“Yes, that helps because again, they can still bring in their personal items,” said Trudeau.

It’s all a compromise.

“It’s just what it is because people have ruined it for other people,” said Trudeau.

He says he expects some pushback on the new rules.

“We had a lot of parents leave and what not, but the rules are the rules,” said Trudeau.

And he hopes parents understand.

“We’re just the messengers, we’re there to try to keep these kids safe,” said Trudeau.