Oxnard to Increase Security in Wake of Postgame Brawl
Security at Oxnard High will be stepped up for Friday night’s Channel League football game between Buena and Oxnard, Principal Rick Rezinas said Tuesday.
The tighter measures are the result of a brawl at Oxnard High after last week’s game between Oxnard and Santa Barbara in which five Oxnard Police Department officers were treated for injuries. Five youths were arrested on suspicion of disturbing the peace.
“Our actions are in response to last week’s problems,” Rezinas said. “In general, our games are well-attended without any problems.”
Rezinas first considered changing the time of the game from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., but, he said, “we have decided to not let the jerks rule the world.”
Oxnard officials will prohibit loitering, increase security at entrances and prohibit admission of students who have been expelled from the school district.
“We’re also investigating our ability to obtain metal-detecting machines,” Rezinas said.
Friday’s brawl was the second incident of violence after an Oxnard game in as many days. The team bus for the Oxnard sophomore team was bombarded with rocks and bottles as it departed Santa Barbara High on Thursday. One Oxnard player required 10 stitches in his forehead.
Rezinas said the incidents were unrelated. The melee Friday night did not involve Santa Barbara High students.
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