NMSU Police Issued 16 Citations Among Tailgaters
Football fans, hours – if not days – of tailgating, and more than a dozen citations. Tailgaters turned out in massive numbers and created a number of problems during Saturday’s rivalry game between the Aggies and the Lobos.
As reported on ABC-7, more than 24-hours before kick-off, RVs were bumper to bumper in a 15-acre campus parking lot and the party had already started for a number of fans. But now New Mexico State University Police say, tailgating rules may be changing altogether.
“We’re going to be looking at how soon they can actually come into the parking lot to pre-stage equipment and that’s something that has not been real clearly communicated to people in the past,” Stephen Lopez, NMSU Deputy Police Chief, said. “That’s one of the things we’ll be looking at here in the next 2 weeks, is whether or not tailgating within 4-hours should include setting up of elaborate equipment out in the parking lot.”
Officers issued 16 citations Saturday, Lopez said. This included: 4 minor in possessions, 3 for disorderly conduct, 5 for resisting or obstructing officers, 2 arrest warrants, 1 for public nuisance, and another for consuming alcohol inside Aggie Memorial Stadium.
Lopez said in addition to enforcing the 4 hour window allowed for tailgating up until kick-off, a committee will be looking at how many officers are patroling compared to overall number of tailgaters present on game day.
“Unfortunately this is very much up to the fans that come, to behave in accordance with the established policy,” Lopez said. “We cannot be everywhere at all times and the best way for our fans to have an enjoyable experience is to abide by policy the University sets fourth.”
The Aggie’s next home game is October 30th. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against San Jose State is at 2 p.m. and Lopez said, tailgating rules will be strictly enforced.
