Spectators at School Sports Events Searched
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OAKLAND — Spectators at school basketball and football games are being searched with hand-held metal detectors under a new policy intended to thwart gang confrontations.
Use of metal detectors at varsity games was sought by police who provide security at the games after a youth was seen carrying a gun at a Jan. 29 game at Fremont High School.
Police confiscated 60 weapons in a record 4,592 calls to Oakland schools through the end of January this school year, said Oakland Police Sgt. Harold Boutte.
Pete Mesa, superintendent of Oakland schools, received a consensus approval from school board members to use the metal detectors at a game last week. Mesa said that he polled the board because of the importance police attached to the use of detectors.
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