Kent State spends $65k for security measures during open-carry event

Kaitlin Bennett, a Kent State alumna and an organizer of the open-carry walk, stands behind Ohio State Highway Patrolmen as she talks with counterprotesters in the Schwartz Center parking lot on Sept. 29, 2018.

President Beverly Warren announced on Monday afternoon that Kent State spent $65,000 on security measures for last month’s open–carry walk.

Kent State University Police, Kent City Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol worked closely late September to ensure safety throughout the event. 

Through a mutual aid pact, the university also requested law enforcement help from different Ohio universities, including

Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, University of Cincinnati and the University of Toledo.

“These agencies come to the aid of their partners for no costs for the host institution,” Warren said.

Warren said Kaitlin Bennett, the organizer of the walk, can’t be legally billed for the costs because it wasn’t registered through the university. 

Brandon Bounds is TV2’s enterprise producer. Contact him at [email protected].

Laina Yost is KentWired’s enterprise editor. Contact her [email protected]