09/29/2026
“Crowd control doesn’t begin when a fight breaks out. It begins days or weeks earlier with planning, intelligence, partnerships and clear expectations.”
Theron Bowman, Ph.D., shared that perspective with ABC11 in Raleigh, North Carolina, after multiple fights forced officials to suspend a sold-out high school rivalry football game before it could be completed.
His advice focuses on several key areas:
• Plan and practice with school administrators, school police and SROs, local law enforcement, EMS and other first responders
• Monitor intelligence, including social media and reports from students
• Clearly communicate behavior expectations and consequences before the event
• Adjust the location, time, security screening or agency support when conditions warrant
• Rehearse the response: who does what, where people go and how the event will be secured if something happens
As Dr. Bowman put it:
“We plan it as if it is going to be the safest event that ever occurred. But we also have a contingency plan in case something does occur.”
That kind of planning helps protect the overwhelming majority of people who came to enjoy the event.
Watch the full story: https://abc11.com/post/security-questions-emerge-fights-halt-sold-rolesville-millbrook-football-game/19884799/
The Wake County Sheriff's Office said it had five deputies assigned to the game and noted that the school system determines security plans.
