There will be a police presence at two high school football games in Moncton Thursday night less than a week after an incident at a game resulted in a heavy response from the Codiac Regional RCMP. Two youths were arrested following an altercation on the grounds of École L’Odyssée in Moncton on Sept. 25. The incident involved several youths and according to police, one of them displayed what was believed to be a weapon during the altercation. The school grounds were evacuated as a precaution and the football game between École L’Odyssée and Moncton High School was postponed at halftime. On Thursday, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Luc Picard said a 17-year-old male has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. “The other youth who was initially arrested because he matched the suspect’s description was later released without charges,” said Picard in an email. No injuries were reported. École L’Odyssée is scheduled to play École Mathieu-Martin at Moncton’s Rocky Stone Field in the annual Acadie Bowl on Thursday. Picard said Codiac Regional RCMP members will be on site and will work with event security personnel to make sure the game is a safe environment for all involved. Mounties will also be on hand at Thursday’s game between Harrison Trimble High School and Riverview High School at Woody Hayes Field in Moncton. Police were present during a game in Riverview last Saturday, the day after the incident at École L’Odyssée. Both the Anglophone East School District (AESD) and the District scolaire francophone Sud (DSFS) declined interview requests from CTV News, but did provide statements about Thursday’s games and recent events. Jean-Luc Thériault, a spokesperson for DSFS said security measures have been put in in place for the Acadie Bowl to help ensure a safe environment: Thériault said four additional portable bleachers have been added to Rocky Stone Field to help better define the sections reserved for students and other spectators. “These measures are being put in place to help provide a safe and welcoming environment for students, families, and all those attending the event,” said Thériault in an email. Stephanie Patterson, an AESD spokesperson, said the they are grateful for the continued support of the RCMP at highly attended school events across the district. “The safety and well-being of our students, staff, families and visitors is one of our core priorities,” said Patterson in an email. “We appreciate the ongoing commitment of our community to helping ensure our school events remain safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.” Picard said the RCMP believes last week’s incident at École L’Odyssée was isolated, but they will remain vigilant. “At this time, we have no information to suggest that there is any risk to public safety at future sporting events,” said Picard. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
