COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — The Coweta County School System will pilot new security measures, including walk-through weapons detection gates and a clear bag policy, during the East Coweta-Northgate football game on Nov. 6.
School personnel will set up portable Athena weapons detection systems at home and visitor entrances to Shoemake Stadium for the event.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
District officials introduced the trial safety measures after firearms were discovered on campus during extracurricular athletic events twice over the past 18 months.
Channel 2 Action News reported five people were taken into custody Aug. 28 after a fight at a East Coweta High School football game near the concession stand. Police said a gun was found on the ground.
The screening systems and bag restrictions are designed specifically for large after-hours extracurricular gatherings, rather than regular school-day operations.
Superintendent Evan Horton noted that visitors, rather than students attending the competing schools, brought the firearms discovered during the two previous incidents.
“We have had two incidents over the past year and a half where firearms were discovered during extracurricular athletic events on our campuses,” Horton said. “Fortunately, there was no larger incident involved with those firearms in either case. But the presence of prohibited weapons in a stadium or other campus venue poses an obvious danger to our students and visitors.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- Ex-High Museum executive who spent embezzled money on expensive guitars sentenced
- 18-year-old shot to death in middle of neighborhood street, 15-year-old arrested
- Georgia State troopers can now accept digital driver’s licenses, IDs during stops
Horton added that school leadership must ensure event safety for attendees and staff.
“We know that the vast majority of visitors to our extracurricular events simply want to come and support the teams and the schools and enjoy a game,” Horton said. “We have a responsibility to our guests, our students and our employees to take prudent steps to ensure that these are safe events.”
Under the clear bag policy, spectators must use transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC bags measuring no larger than 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches. One-gallon clear plastic bags and small clutch bags up to 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches are also permitted. Bookbags and backpacks are strictly prohibited, and visitors with noncompliant bags will be required to leave them in their vehicles. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items following a security inspection.
School officials reminded attendees that all district campuses and athletic venues are designated drug-free and weapons-free environments under Georgia law. Prohibited weapons remain barred from school grounds regardless of state permitless carry provisions, except where expressly authorized by law.
Safety director Danielle Rosa stated that the new detection systems will support existing security protocols, including certified law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel.
“The Coweta County School System remains committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our students, families, staff and spectators attending athletic events,” Rosa said. “This additional layer of security builds upon our already strong foundation of safety measures, including the presence of certified law enforcement officers, emergency services personnel and our valued public safety partners who work together to protect our school community during large-scale athletic events.”
Rosa emphasized that the screening gates will not replace core safety operations.
“Enhanced weapons detection systems are not a replacement for our existing safety practices,” Rosa said. “They are an additional layer of protection that strengthens our longstanding partnerships with law enforcement, emergency responders, school administrators and our community.”
Rosa told spectators to anticipate potential entry delays on Friday evening due to the extra security steps.
“We recognize that implementing new procedures may require additional time when entering our athletic facilities that evening,” Rosa said. “We encourage spectators to arrive early, travel light and follow the directions of school personnel and law enforcement officers. We ask for everyone’s patience, cooperation and understanding as our school personnel implement these enhanced safety measures.”
School administrators will refine the new security practices after evaluating the Nov. 6 pilot.
Rosa noted that the district reserves the option to deploy the screening gates at future extracurricular gatherings that draw large numbers of visitors.
“They may not be used at all such events, but we will reserve the right to employ these systems at any such event, particularly extra-curricular gatherings where a large number of non-school visitors may attend,” Rosa said.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
