Phillipsburg School District relying more on private security at football games than town police

PHILLIPSBURG | Phillipsburg School District's decision to hire a security firm stocked with former police officers will mean fewer cops at Stateliner football games, but more savings for the district, according to Superintendent Mark B. Miller.

Home football games at Maloney Stadium this season will have 12 security guards from Belvidere-based Camelot Security Associates. The district also hopes to have two Phillipsburg police officers attend the games, though that hasn't been worked out so far.

A request that two town officers attend the Sept. 10 home opener was declined, according to Miller.

"Why? I can't answer that," he said. "That's a question for (the police department)."

Police Chief Ed Mirenda said officers were told of the request, but it didn't appear that any were available for the game. He said police union president detective Doug Baylor is ultimately responsible for assigning police coverage for non-municipal events like football games.

Messages left for Baylor were not returned.

Traditionally, eight police officers and about four school security guards manned home games, Miller said.

Last year, police officers patrolling five football games cost the district about $13,000, according to the superintendent. By using five fewer officers, Miller hopes to save the district money this season while still retaining quality service.

"We're very comfortable with the coverage that we've got," Miller said.

Though a team of trained security guards familiar with Phillipsburg students is an asset at such a big sporting event, Mirenda said there are things security guards cannot do.

Only police officers, for instance, can make arrests.

"Security guards are great with students because they always interact with the students and they know them," Mirenda said. "If things get really out of hand though, it's better to have police."

Miller said the district will continue to ask that two officers attend home games and hopes an arrangement can be struck for the remainder of the football season.

Red Rover security coverage multifaceted

Games played at Cottingham Stadium by the Easton Red Rovers include a mix of district security guards, a private security firm and Easton police officers, according to Lou Coxe, the district's security coordinator.

"We've never really had any problems," he said. "It seems to work well."

The variety of security personnel ensure that different areas and factors at football games are covered, according to Coxe.

An average game will usually include about eight district security officers, about six members from the private security company Strike Force and six city police officers, Coxe said.

He wasn't certain how much security at Easton games costs the district.

Easton Athletic Director James Pokrivsak did not return calls for comment Friday.

Confident with Camelot

Guards for Camelot Security Associates are trained in handling event security, Miller said, which eases his mind about the games.

"As a superintendent, I worry. You worry even if you have eight police and 25 security guards," Miller said. "Put it this way, I have a comfort level with our security force. Two of them just retired from the Phillipsburg Police Department and many others are retired state police officers."

The school district signed a one-year $375,000 contract with Camelot Security to provide district-wide security services. The move was a cost saving measure after residents voted down the 2010-11 school budget.

Miller said the district is saving about $122,000 in salary and benefits by laying off 14 employees and using a private company.

During the Phillipsburg School Board meeting Monday, one person questioned the Sept. 10 game's lack of police officers, Miller said, but that was the only complaint he heard.

Despite an enormous crowd in the Stateliners' 56-0 game against Plainfield School District, Miller said there were no incidents. He said people were well aware that security was at the game.

"Their presence was felt greatly. We had one of the largest crowds I can remember at a home game in the last three years," Miller said.