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The Troup County Commission approved a request to apply for a GEMA 2024 Homeland Security Grant during Tuesday’s meeting. The funding would go to security systems for Callaway Stadium if awarded. 

The total grant amount is $39,540, with no match required by the county. The money would go towards two Ceia Opengate Weapons Detection Systems, which cost $18,300 each. It will also fund 12 Garrett Metal Detector Wands, costing $245 each. 

“It will be for the purchase of the weapons detection system as well as wands to be used at the gates of our facility,” said Eric Mosley, the County Manager. 

The commission voted unanimously to accept the grant application request. 

The stadium has cracked down on security measures in recent months after an incident during a LaGrange v. Troup High School football game on Nov. 3, 2023. Fans inside the stadium heard what sounded like a gunshot nearby, sending people running out of Callaway and the game being suspended for 30 minutes. 

Law enforcement did not find any evidence of gunfire at the time. However, two individuals were injured in the commotion, one from being trampled and another fainted. 

In response, Troup County and LaGrange College banned the use of their parking lots for tailgating, and have cracked down on loitering before, during, and after high school and college games. Other security measures had been in place before, including a clear-bag policy and a weapons detection system.