Sports officials agree that security is needed at event facilities
Dion Sutherland
On Monday night a sporting match between Ladyville Technical and Nazarene High schools ended fatally for a spectator. Twenty-seven year old Salvador Martinez intervened to stop a fight when he was stabbed on the chest. There are many lingering questions on his death, particularly the issue of poor security at sport facilities. According to school officials, they had been promised police presence, but that has not always been the case and they feel Monday night’s brawl did not have to end with death. News Five spoke to the president of the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association and the Principal of Nazarene High school about their security concerns.
Marion Ali
“This incident has certainly put a black eye on the whole sports aspect of your school. This is the second such incident that has resulted in someone’s death.”
Dion Sutherland, President, Central Sec. School Sports Assn.
“Yes, because in the past years when we had that last one we went down. Attendance at our games was poor and we were just picking back up more interest and so on so definitely this will be a black eye. But, as I said, we’re going to do it because it’s for the kids and as long as we get the support that we need we’re gonna be out there.”
Samuel Sukhnandan, Principal, Nazarene High School
“As principals and as educators we work very closely with the Police Department, we have a good working relationship. But it seems that the issue of sports, there is a problem and the problem is that we do not have police at all of our games and either it’s because the games run too late or it’s because police officers are working overtime and they are not paid. But that would be a bigger issue but the issue that we are concerned with is the security for our students at these games.”
Marion Ali
“There was another game last night, a football game do you know if there was police presence?”
Samuel Sukhnandan
Samuel Sukhnandan
“Well, I personally passed there last night and there was heavy security and I would wish that security continues. But I believe that is an overblown reaction to the night before but certainly we would like to see proper security at these games. Certainly there was security last night and that was very good.”
Sukhnandan says the schools may have to pay for officers to provide security at the games.
