For the remainder of the football season, those going to LSU home games can expect beefed-up security following a pair of shootings outside the stadium last week. Scott Ballard, the chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, says there will be additional police presence – not only those you can see, but also those you CAN’T see.
“We are bringing in additional technological and surveillance support to help us identify and react to illegal or dangerous behavior very quickly,” Ballard said.
Part of that surveillance support includes the use of drones.
Ballard says accessibility to campus will be restricted for those who do not have gameday parking permits.
“Vehicular accessibility to Highland Road will not be available for those who do not have interior permits,” Ballard said.
Highland Road runs parallel to Burbank Drive, which is one of the main routes to get to Tiger Stadium. Ballard says law enforcement is also cracking down on the use of marijuana, which people have complained about for a while.
“If you are smoking marijuana, you will be detained. And if found to have illegal amounts, you will be arrested on the spot,” Ballard warned.
Ballard says people have even been smoking marijuana inside the stadium. Those who are caught doing so will be ejected; and if they’re season ticket holders, their tickets for the next home game will be forfeited. Ballard is also reminding fans that LSU is a firearm-free campus, and no one except law enforcement should be bringing firearms onto campus.
Also, Unity Field near the intersection of Highland Road and South Stadium Drive is closed for the remainder of the football season. It’s an area where most of the school’s Black Greek Life tailgates. Officials say two recent shootings have been linked to that tailgating spot. Interim LSU President Matt Lee says disciplinary action could be taken against a student organization that attempted to hold an unsanctioned event in that area last Saturday, which led to a huge crowd of people.
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