Jeannette to increase security measures at football games

Fans attending Jeannette’s home football games at McKee Stadium will be required to enter through the main gate on Park Street to be checked with a metal-detecting device, the school district said Wednesday.

Superintendent Matthew Jones announced the heightened security in the wake of the fatal shooting of a Jeannette man outside the gate near the end of the Jayhawks’ Sept. 6 football game against Imani Christian Academy.

Jones could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Dameian Williams, 48, was shot during a dispute with another man near the ticket-taking building. The suspect, Greg A. Harper, 40, of Jeannette, has been charged with homicide and is in the Westmoreland County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing.

In addition to a metal-detecting wand that will be used on fans, the school district said no oversized bags or backpacks will be permitted inside the stadium and the bags may be subject to a search.

Once inside the stadium, fans will not be permitted to leave and re-enter without purchasing another ticket and undergoing the same security procedures.

The victim and suspected shooter were inside the stadium and went outside the facility when the shooting occurred at about 9:20 p.m. Friday.

The district will limit parking inside the stadium and the gates to the parking area will be monitored by security personnel. Handicapped parking is limited to the number of spaces available on a first-come basis.

The school board on Monday announced that it intends to hire additional security — possibly four guards — for the football game on Friday against Avella. Jones said that would be in addition to the regular contingent of security from the Jeannette city and state police.

School officials have noted that though the incident was not related “to the school district in any way, the proximity of the event has prompted the district to add additional security measures.”

“The Jeannette School District holds to the truth that our small, tight-knit community is not only safe for all visitors and patrons, but provides all who live, study, work and visit a unique and enjoyable experience that can only be found in Jeannette,” the district said in a statement.