ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Homecoming is in full swing at South Carolina State University.
The Bulldogs will take on the Delaware State Hornets and students are excited.
Kimora Aiken says she is especially excited for this year’s musical guest.
“I’m super excited, I’m not going to lie. This is my third year for homecoming, it’s my junior year, and I’m really excited because we got JT coming,” said Aiken. “And I’m excited to see all the alumni.”
SC State says they are expecting anywhere between 30,000 and 40,000 alumni, students family and friends.
Richard Johnson is the chief of police on campus. He says that safety is a priority.
“There’s a lot of unwarranted activities on college campuses throughout the nation and its not a matter of if it’s going to happen,” said Chief Johnson. “It’s a matter of when so we want to take a more proactive approach to insure that it does not occur here.”
In addition to normal game day safety protocols, SC State will have 150 law enforcement officers and security personnel on campus, the school’s gun sniffing dog and new weapon detectors.
The weapon detectors were introduced at the last home game. They use artificial intelligence to show imagery reading—similar to the technology used at airports when passengers go through TSA.
University police say the technology will help them respond rapidly to any potential threats.
“We want to make certain that everyone here comes and has a good time and really feel safe and also be safe,” said Chief Johnson.
Students say they are hoping for a fun and safe weekend.
“I’m really praying that it’s a safe weekend. I pray every morning when I wake up that we have a safe homecoming," said Aiken. "I’m really excited to see how the safety measures are going to go because now we have new IDs. It will be a lot safer for us, especially with our events like the concert, for example, you have to have your ID to get in.”
“I just hope that everyone’s safe," said student Anthony Miles. "That nothing goes wrong and I hope that we can keep all the events going for all of the students, nothing gets cancelled early… we can have as much fun as possible as long as everyone’s safe.”
University Police remind visitors to not drink and drive.