The Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, SU Athletics and the Syracuse Police Department are taking a proactive step to implement safety measures at this year’s Orange Madness.

At last year’s event, an attendee unaffiliated with the university was stabbed, but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. DPS officials said the incident could be attributed to free ticket distribution and general admission because these measures did not deter potentially dangerous individuals from attending.

Though this was an isolated event and should not deter students from attending this year’s event, it is crucial that thorough safety measures are taken to prevent a similar incident.

Fortunately, the university is handling safety appropriately.

This year, pre-emptive safety procedures have been put in place, such as charging $5 for tickets, assigning seating, increasing DPS and SPD presence throughout the Carrier Dome and using metal detection wands. These safety precautions will be effective.

Although tickets only cost $5 and are not a huge financial burden for ticket-buyers, it does provide a barrier to the event, as opposed to giving away tickets for free. This model allowed almost anyone in the area to make their way through the gates of the Dome.

Meanwhile, choosing to assign seats instead of promoting general admission will quell the chance of fights, which took place in the stands last year.

The university has taken appropriate measures in response to last year’s Orange Madness. It would be irresponsible to ignore them entirely, but worse still to make such extensive changes that the event is no longer accessible to all SU fans.

At its core, Orange Madness is an event that rallies the community together for the start of basketball season. With these changes to security, it can remain as such.

Published on October 17, 2013 at 2:38 am

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com