CHESTER, S.C. — Security at high school football games is stirring up controversy with Chester County's sheriff.
The school district asked city police officers to work security at Chester High School and after hours.
The Chester City Council voted Thursday at an emergency meeting to extend the city limits about 3 miles, putting the football stadium at Chester High School inside the city.
That would allow city police officers to work security at football games and respond to other incidents instead of county sheriff's deputies.
Sheriff Alex Underwood was angry last spring when school officials announced they would replace his deputies on campuses with private security officers.
Those officers are now in place at all nine school campuses.
But school district officials said the superintendent wants to make sure students are protected during after-school events like football games and asked that the city extend its boundaries so police officers could have jurisdiction there.
Chester city police did not comment about the plan, and school officials would not comment on camera.
Underwood released a statement against that plan because it only impacts one school.
"The sheriff does not support extending the 3-mile jurisdiction because this would not provide protection to Lewisville or Great Falls," Underwood said. "It doesn't make good sense to do this."
Some parents of children in Chester schools said the politics don't matter to them, only the protection.
"As long as my child is safe and able to get a quality education, I'm fine with it," James Marshall said. "Whatever they want to do."
"I really don't care if it's a police officer or security guard in the school, as long as my child is being protected at all times," Crystal Miller said.
The County Council must approve this, and that will take several meetings.
The high school football season could be half over before those votes are taken if it passes.
Chester County Council won't take up the issue until the end of the month, and then it would require two additional votes to pass.
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