A popular Boston sports center is bolstering its security after a Massachusetts high school track meet was marred by a “verbal confrontation” and display of a gun between student-athletes and individuals not affiliated with the event, according to police and athletic officials.
The Reggie Lewis Center is enhancing its security protocols following the Tri-Valley League track meet on Jan. 8, when two Dedham High School student-athletes reportedly confronted three individuals not connected with the event.
One of the three non-student athletes allegedly “displayed a gun that was tucked in their waistband” during the confrontation, according to the Bay State Conference.
Roxbury Community College has told the Herald that its public safety department is jointly investigating the incident with the Boston Police Department.
“This ongoing investigation has been productive to date, with suspects both identified and interviewed,” a college spokesperson told the Herald via email. “We will provide additional details when the investigation is closed.
“In response to the initial findings, RCC has already established new public safety protocols and increased security staff at athletics events,” the spokesperson added. “The leadership teams at RCC and the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center are confident that appropriate safety measures are in place and that the RCC campus is a safe environment.”
Boston Police referred questions about the confrontation to Roxbury Community College, which operates the facility.
Reggie Lewis Center Executive Director Richard Ward and Senior Director Lance Green informed high school track coaches, administrators, officials, and other constituents of the new safety measures on Wednesday.
Shortly after, administrators of the Bay State Conference alerted the community to last week’s incident, emphasizing that the confrontation did not involve any of its member schools and that no one was “harmed or injured.”
Effective immediately, all teams competing at the Reggie Lewis Center will enter “exclusively” through an entrance on Malcolm X Boulevard in Roxbury, where they will pass through a new security screening system monitored by Roxbury Community College.
“Athletes and coaches will be issued designated wristbands required for entry and must keep them visible at all times,” the Bay State Conference stated. “To ensure a smooth check-in, students will be reminded to have any electronic devices (laptops, phones, etc.) ready to be removed briefly during the scan.”
The conference added that athletic directors will be present during meets to help teams and coaches, with administrators advising that students remain inside the Reggie during events, “except when excused by your coach to warm up/cool down for your event as a group.”
“While the facility has increased its security presence,” the conference stated, “we plan to speak with the athletes about the importance of vigilance and reporting any concerns immediately to a coach or security official. We are confident that these proactive steps will allow our students to focus on their performance and enjoy the competition in a safe environment.”
According to the calendar, the Reggie will be hosting Boston Public Schools track practices and Bay State Conference and Commonwealth Athletic Conference track meets on Thursday.
In a community alert posted on Sunday, the Boston Police Department sought the public’s assistance in identifying the three non-student athletes involved in the confrontation, which authorities described as an “assault involving a firearm.”
The department added that the incident unfolded at about 8:20 p.m. last Thursday.
Security issues have arisen at the Reggie within the past year.
Boston police shut down an annual summer jobs fair for city youth last March due to massive crowding and fighting. The department reported no arrests, injuries or property damage in connection with that incident.
In their email on Wednesday, Ward and and Green told high school coaches and other stakeholders that “the safety, wellbeing, and overall experience of our participants, spectators, and surrounding community remain our highest priorities” at the Reggie.
“In alignment with this commitment – and as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe, welcoming environment – we are implementing an enhanced security and check-in protocol effective immediately and for the remainder of the indoor track and field season,” they added.
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