With Homecoming Season right around the corner here at Orchard Park High School, many parents and community members wonder how safety will be ensured during these upcoming weeks. There is no need to ponder that! Orchard Park High School School Resource Officer (SRO) Courtney Mackey has all the answers to the safety questions.
Keeping students safe and identifiable is a must when so many are gathered together. The OPPD will be more prominent this year in an effort to support a safe environment and to help differentiate between students from OPHS and other buildings.
“There will be an increased police presence at the dance and all homecoming events,” and “[Students] will need [their] student identification card to gain entrance to the Homecoming Dance and the Flag Football game,” added Officer Mackey.
It is imperative to ensure a safe environment during school events to protect not only the students but the community at large.
“We will be not allowing any bags into homecoming and the flag football game this year to ensure safety for all students and staff,” said Officer Mackey was asked about any new rules or policies being enforced during Homecoming activities.
When asking students of Orchard Park High School to share their thoughts about the regulations surrounding the fall homecoming festivities, Senior Lindsey Howard said, “I think that the idea of having to show our student IDs to enter homecoming will create a safer environment, ensuring that the only people attending are the people that are supposed to be there.”
School dances and high school parties go hand and hand. According to the CDC, about 23% of high school students have consumed alcohol.
“Underage drinking is way too normalized…. just because it is underneath your roof still does not make it okay,” said Mackey when asked about the underage drinking problem in our country.
Underage drinking can lead to the even worse crime of drunk driving, which is always an additional concern at the Homecoming Dance.
“Driving while intoxicated is not worth the damage it could not only cause to yourself but others,” reminded Mackey. She also stated, “PBT screeners (roadside alcohol screeners) will be readily available at the Homecoming Dance and the Flag Football game,” and “There will be increased patrols throughout Orchard Park and surrounding jurisdictions.”
Driving while intoxicated is an extremely dangerous decision that can cause irreparable damage to yourself and others, and students know enough to be concerned, as well.
“I think driving and driving is very dangerous and no amount of fun is worth putting your life as well as others’ lives at risk,” said Senior Madalyn Brown. She also added, “I also think that it should be taken more seriously by teens and young adults.”
“I knew someone in the community who passed away in an accident caused by drunk driving. It was a very sad situation and I would never wish that on anybody,” said OPHS Senior Abigail Henning.
Contact Officer Mackey, Mr. Pafk, or any house principal with questions or concerns regarding Homecoming and safety measures.
