Explosive weapon found at DKR brings light to game day security

A suspicious explosive bottle was discovered at the Darrell K Royal stadium and taken to the University of Texas Police Department Sept. 15, the morning after Texas’ home football game against the University of Ole Miss.

Due to the investigation’s active status, UTPD Sgt. Charles Bonnet could not describe the physical appearance of the bottle or its exact location. Bonnet did say the explosive was not a dangerous threat to campus and was found on the outskirts of the stadium.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” said Bonnet. “The best thing we can say is that nobody was in any danger. There was never any kind of threat to the public.”

UTPD listed the bottle as a prohibited weapon because of its explosive nature. UTPD prohibits the following weapons on campus: firearms, explosive weapons, machine guns, short-barreled firearms, firearm silencers, switchblade knifes, knuckles, armor-piercing ammunition, chemical dispensing devices, zip guns, clubs or night sticks, and illegal knives.

Despite the rare occurrence of prohibited weapons at home football games, Bonnet said there are many steps security must complete in order to insure the safety of patrons and for the number of potential threats to remain low.

“We do have procedures in place to try to minimize the threats specifically for games,” said Bonnet. “To drive [through campus] on game days you have to drive past detection canines at entry and exit points. All other egress and ingress are blocked. There is some screening of everyone that drives in, and that’s the first layer.”

UTPD officers aren’t the only ones working security for game days. Bonnet said the stadium has a large police presence of Travis county, AISD, APD, and DPS officers as well. They are stationed at the entrances and exits of the stadium, where the next layer of security, the bag checks, are located. Officers stationed near the bag checks are required to pay close attention to the patrons coming in and out of the stadium.

“They are trained to look for anything suspicious on somebody,” said Bonnet. “Bulges in [patron’s] pants, weather inappropriate clothing, someone wearing a jacket at an August game, a number of indicators like that.”

UTPD Officer Layne Brewster said patrons can also do their part in helping maintain a safe environment while watching the game. “We actually have a number that spectators can text during the game if there is an issue,” said Brewster. “They are our eyes and ears out there as well. They just text their row, where they are and what the problem is.”

The text alert number, 51234, appears sporadically on the giant television screen throughout the game and is displayed throughout the stadium. “We do try to get the message out that if you see something, say something,” said Bonnet.

“There are 200,000 non-police officers around the stadium. The only way to keep everybody safe is for everybody to do their part.”

In Texas, the possession of a prohibited weapon on campus or any other educational property is a third-degree felony. The investigation will remain open until UTPD discovers the creator of the explosive.