By Sydney Zatz
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – All eyes are on the University of North Dakota as they host a Turning Point USA event on Thursday, October 9th.
“This will be one of the most robust security events we’ve done in recent history,” said Chief Rodney Clark with University of North Dakota Police.
Just weeks ago, UND hosted a vigil in honor of Political Activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Kirk had been scheduled to appear at a similar event at UND on Thursday.
“It changes everything. Unfortunately, with the events that happened, that’s a major game changer as far as security prep, right?” Clark said.
The event will continue as planned with conservative political commentator and CEO of Blaze Media, Glenn Beck, replacing Kirk. Across the country, people have lined up for hours to attend these events, and university police are expecting the same in Grand Forks.
“We have police officers on duty everyday of the year anyways on normal patrol. Dedicated to this event, if we were to get some early risers at 7 a.m., people will be there anyways setting up at that time. If we were to get anybody in the overnight hours. we would just readjust and have patrol concentrate on that area.”
With what happened in Utah, police are upping staff. Attendees can also expect a “no bag policy,” metal detectors, and a strict no-reentry policy.
“Under a normal event there’d be seven to eight officers, not security guards, but police officers. We will be utilizing some members of the Grand Forks, and other agencies. I’m not going to get into the specific numbers of what we have for security reasons. But expect a very robust event and expect wait times due to that.”
Chief Clark says security will even be a step higher than what you might experience at a UND Football or hockey game. Stronger security, starting with an indoor-only event.
“Originally, when Mr. Kirk was still alive, there were two events scheduled. There was going to be an outdoor event, a Turning Point USA “Prove Me Wrong” type of event that they do. Then the Chester Fritz Auditorium event was going to occur in the evening. Now, with those tragic events, only the indoor event will be occurring.”
The university confirmed Thursday that no threats have been made regarding the event.
Students will be granted early access beginning at 5 p.m., while the general public can enter starting at 5:30 p.m. There is currently a waitlist for public admission.
The event is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. More information can be found, here.
Valley News Live will have a team at the event. Stay tuned on-air and online for the latest developments.
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