(Spencer)– School and public safety officials in Spencer are working to make next month’s Homecoming celebration less rowdy.
Last year, the celebration was marred by several incidents of criminal behavior by a small group of students. Neighborhoods near the Johnson and Fairview Elementary Schools were hardest hit.
This year, the Spencer Police Department is working with school administrators to come up with a safer homecoming for everyone.
High School Principal Mike Healy says their intent is to infringe as little as possible on traditional homecoming events. He says the focus will be on the positive, rather than destruction that’s occurred in the past. Healy says it was just a small minority that was causing the problem, and he says their message is targeted to that group.
Spencer Police Chief Mike Lashbrook says the new “rules” are intended to protect all citizens. He says they’ll be holding public informational meetings next week. Lashbrook says officers will lay out their plans for homecoming to the public, along with giving residents tips on reporting incidents to authorities and advice to residents on how to protect property.
In addition, Healy says Spencer High School students will be getting a list of guidelines from school staff on what is and what is not appropriate behavior.
Homecoming in Spencer is October 15th.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer).
