Metro Atlanta school district adopts clear bag policy at sporting events

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Only clear bags are allowed into sporting events at Douglas County Schools. The new policy took effect Friday and is similar to what is in place at stadiums in professional and college sports.

“It is just amazing that so many new rules are coming into play,” parent Ayshia Reed said.

She has three children in the Douglas County School System, and her oldest plays football.

“My daughters, they are the ones that are in middle school and elementary school, they are like, ‘We got to put all of our chips and juice in these bags, Mom? With umbrellas and this and that?’ I said, ‘I guess so!’” Reed said.

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Superintendent Trent North says the policy was in the works for over a year, but COVID-19 slowed its roll-out. We asked him what people can expect now that the new policy is in place.

“They should expect when they come to the game, if they don’t have a clear bag, they are going to be asked to take their pocketbook back to their cars,” North said.

We emailed about a dozen school districts in the metro area to see if they have similar polices in place. The majority did not. Atlanta Public Schools says they are considering one.

“We have away games as well. So I am hopeful that if school systems aren’t doing it, they will consider it,” North said.

Father Muhammad Basharat says his kids play soccer in the district.

He says his family has clear bags ready to go.

“Anything that is valuable, I am okay leaving it in the car, not in plain sight, "Basharat said. " And if I have to bring something, I am okay taking the clear bag."

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