Huffman said it appeared no one in authority broke up the gathering and pointed to the state stay at home orders and Gov. Mike DeWine’s warnings that gatherings can be “very dangerous to public health.” He asked for information on how the local officials planned to deal with the situation and future activities.
Tipp City Schools Superintendent Gretta Kumpf said the district did not announce or encourage a gathering. “My athletic director (Kregg Creamer) sent a social media posting, ‘Please follow the stay at home order. Do not come to the stadium Monday. I will be taking pictures and tweeting these out as well as putting them on the athletic website. Thanks!’”
The schools invited families to turn on porch lights during the stadium lighting event, Kumpf said. Police were at the stadium to provide a presence, but the schools did not invite fire and EMS to participate, she said.
The schools take the COVID-19 requirements seriously, Kumpf said.
“It is unfortunate that some people choose to compromise the state’s efforts by gathering with friends and ignoring the governor’s orders,” she said. “We tried to do something special for our seniors as we recognize the huge disappointments they are experiencing because of this pandemic. It saddens me that a small group of students diminished the celebration by not abiding by the governor’s guidelines.”
City Manager Tim Eggleston said the event and activities provided a “coaching moment” for some employees who participated. Police were asked to control traffic, which was anticipated to be vehicles driving by, he said. Fire and EMS went to the stadium on their own to show support for the seniors.
“No one expected there to be a gathering, just equipment,” Eggleston said. “I truly believe no one thought this event would have turned out the way it did.”
The emergency services chief is addressing concerns about social distancing, which was not followed, he said.
There was one police officer on hand because the rest were on calls for service, Eggleston said. The officer “felt overwhelmed as to what to do … Maybe he could have used his loudspeaker and told the crowd to disperse. Again, hindsight, a learning experience,” he said.
Eggleston said all employees have been reminded about complying with social distancing. “We can and will do better,” he said.
“I agree it is teachable moment hopefully the city and school will develop policies how to deal with situations like this in the future,” Huffman said in an email to Eggleston Wednesday.
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