Increased security after threat postpones high school football game in Groton

Oct. 18—GROTON — Police said the arrest of a Groton student is pending in connection with an online threat that led to the postponement of Thursday's football game at Robert E. FItch High School and new spectator restrictions.

Thursday's planned 6 p.m. football game between Fitch and Norwich Free Academy was played at 4 p.m. on Friday with increased security and a limited number of spectators.

Groton Town Police Chief L.J. Fusaro said NFA security personnel raised concerns on Thursday about some trouble brewing over the football game. Fusaro said Fitch's school resource officer, later in the afternoon, became aware of a concerning social media post brought forward by students. The game was postponed by school administration out of an abundance of caution, Fusaro said.

Fusaro said Friday afternoon that police have identified a suspect, who is a student at a Groton school. He said the juvenile will be charged appropriately and it will be handled through the juvenile system. Since the suspect is a minor, police will not be releasing any other information, he said.

Fusaro said one of the school resource officers had connections that helped him glean additional information about the identity of the suspect.

In addition to increased security at today's football game, Fitch High School Principal Matthew Brown on Friday announced restrictions on attendance, similar to what New London did earlier this month following a fight a Sept. 27 among spectators.

The new rules required each varsity player to identify four family members as spectators who had to show a photo identification with their ticket. Only NFA and Fitch students with a current student ID were admitted to Friday's game.

Smaller crowd, smooth check-ins

Guests attending the early afternoon game on Friday entered the bleachers after stopping at security stations where names and identifications were examined. The stands held only a few dozen fans in the minutes before kick-off.

Keona Strickland sat on the Fitch side of the field a few feet away from where her daughter, Adailyn Peake, and the rest of the cheerleading squad warmed up. Strickland lamented the events that led to the extra security measures, while acknowledging their necessity.

"It's not fair to the kids," Strickland said. "And it means the tone is a lot less carefree today. I came today specifically in case something happened, and I needed to take care of my child. But Adailyn had no qualms about coming."

Brown and Athletic Director Marc Romano both praised the quick pivoting by the schools and police in responding to Thursday's threat. Brown said he and his staff will determine later how long the upgraded security protocols will stay in place.

"But this was a reaction to a specific issue and I don't think we're looking at a long-term change," Brown said.

In addition to school security staff, supplemented by middle school personnel, several uniformed Groton Town Police Department cruisers were visible on the campus, including two parked just a few feet away from the field.

Cindy Watrous sat in a folding chair behind a track fence as players, including her grandson and Falcon quarterback, Porter Carter, limbered up. She said limiting the number of tickets was a little disappointing, but understandable."

"I'm impressed by the security and the fact they all have walkie talkies," she said. "I just want the kids to be safe and there's a lot of crazy people in the world. I have three grandchildren that go to this school, and they were all comforting me."

Over on the NFA bleachers, Linda and Armand Calouro prepared to watch their linebacker grandson, Tagen Calouro, take the field.

"I'm fine with the extra security, but it's sad they had to do it," Linda Calouro said. "It puts a damper on things, especially with what happened last month."

While entry to the game went smoothly, after Friday night's game police officers and state troopers rushed to the football field when a Norwich Free Academy assistant coach and a Fitch player began arguing. The teams were separated and Groton Town Police cruisers later escorted the NFA bus to the Interstate 95.

Incidents becoming common

A shooting threat on Sept. 28 prompted the evacuation of an NFA game as players prepared to celebrate their first win of the season.

"It's too bad they had to do this," Armand Calouro said. "If they catch whoever made the threat, they should punish them so other people take these kinds of things seriously."

The threat that led to the postponement of Thursday's game at Fitch follows similar incidents statewide and locally at football games in New London and Norwich last month. Unruly fan behavior at a Sept. 27 game in New London game led to suspension of the game at halftime and one arrest.

New London school Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie and Athletic Director Phil Orbe have since announced new rules for football games in New London.

Effective Oct. 9, students and adults at New London football games may be asked to show identification to be admitted. Any students without identification must be accompanied by an adult when entering the gate. Restrooms are being more closely monitored and there are also restrictions on gatherings of students away from the bleachers at the game.

"We encourage students, parents, and citizens who are made aware of concerning posts and potential threats they view on social media to immediately bring them to attention of public safety and/or school officials," Fusaro said in a statement on Friday. "This simple act can help identify bad actors and help deter and prevent disruption of events."

Fusaro said police officers who serve as the school resource officers do a lot to keep the schools safe and to build trust and relationships.

"We applaud these students for having the courage and concern to connect with their SRO to help prevent potential problems at yesterday's game," Fusaro said.