MSU Police Cpt. Doug Monette urges people to engage with officers, especially in the event they see something suspicious.

“One of the things people are going to see, especially at football games, is a higher police presence,” Monette said. “That just means more officers are going to be out there. Part of the reason for that, things like football games and basketball games and hockey events are family-friendly. 

“Having officers out there gives people the opportunity if they see something, they can say something to us. It also gives the opportunity for us to talk about community policing, and that gives people the opportunity to ask us questions and we can interact with our community.”

According to the release, people with medical needs who need to bring equipment with them can enter through selected gates. Their bags will be searched and tagged, like they are now at football games. Those who need to bring personal items — like diapers — need to put those items in a clear, resealable plastic bag.

“This is the exact same policy, it’s very consistent with the policy that is at the football stadium for some time,” Monette said. “All bags such as purses, large bags, cameras, binocular cases and similar cases are prohibited at the indoor athletic facilities, which include Breslin and Munn Ice arenas.”

The decision to increase security measures comes after MSUPD and East Lansing Police received vague threats concerning MSU athletics on Oct. 6 and the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Oct. 2, the deadliest in modern U.S. history.

“Recent events that have been happening nationally and internationally,” Monette said. “That’s what’s really kind of kicked these off. We just want to make our police more visible. That’s part of it. And with the bigger game events that bring together a lot of people, we want to take a proactive approach in doing that.”