Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/15/2022
CHICOPEE – Following a criminal incident at the Thanksgiving football game between Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School, city leadership is planning to adopt new safety measures at school events.
The annual game between two rival schools is a notable community staple that unites students and alumni alike. This year, however, a fist fight broke out between two men, Emmanuel Nives and Anthony Rodriguez, that resulted in both of their arrests. Both received assault and battery charges. Nives was further charged for carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm on school grounds, ultimately revealing the firearm during the altercation.
Mayor John Vieau reflected on the incident via a Dec. 6 press release.
“During the Thanksgiving Day rivalry football game this year, there was a fight that could have easily turned into a tragedy, as one party thought it is okay to bring an illegal gun to family event. Please know that the actions of one individual will not define a school district or ruin the future of a crosstown, football rivalry that dates back to the early 1960s,” said Vieau.
In the aftermath of the arrests, Vieau gathered interim Superintendent Alvin Morton, Police Chief Patrick Major, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski, Student Support Services Director Joseph Morissette, Athletic Director Sean Mackin, school police resource officers and the principals of each high school to reflect on the incident.
The city leaders discussed the incident and measures for improving safety at city and school events. Vieau stressed that Chicopee is committed to preserving safety at events.
“While no one was seriously injured, we recognize what could have happened. Our goal is to let everyone know that the city of Chicopee is committed to keeping our school district and our community safe. It is important that all students understand that extracurricular events are an extension of the school day and that the same rules apply,” said Vieau.
The meeting inspired several new safety measures that will be enforced. Chicopee is committing to increasing the number of school staff who work during games, identity all emergency exists are identified prior to events starting, provide additional professional development to site mangers and support staff and increase police presence at school and city events.
Chicopee Public Schools will also ensure that any student suspended from school will be unable to attend extracurricular events, according to the press release.
City leaders are also weighing several other new policies, such as mandating identification for all participants, banning bags and backpacks, requiring all middle school and younger students to be accompanied by an adult and implementing metal detectors.
Vieau said he was “proud” of the way Chicopee police and support staff handled the football game incident. He aspires for safety to be paramount at all school events.
“I want to reassure the public that their safety is of the upmost importance to myself, Chicopee police and our school district, and we continue to seek ways to keep everybody safe,” said Vieau.