Graduation Guests Ticketed For Loud Cheering

Graduation Guests Ticketed For Loud Cheering - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville

DUNCAN, S.C. -- Fourteen people were ticketed for public disorderly conduct during Tuesday night's Byrnes High School graduation for being "disruptive" when their graduate's name was called out.

Duncan Police Chief Ryan Cothran said, "These guests may see it as cheering in their eyes, but it's disruptive."

Cothran said his police department works in conjunction with the school district to enforce its policy during graduations. The audience is warned twice during the ceremony that all applause should be held until the end of the ceremony, said Cothran.

"We had a rowdy bunch this year," said Cothran.

The chief stated the practice of ticketing guests with public disorderly conduct has been in place for three years. He said this has been the most ever to get a ticket. Each person must pay a $262 fine.

"Some people are thankful for a calm graduation," said Cothran.

Seniors are also told to let their family and friends know outbursts are not going to be tolerated, according to Cothran.

Spartanburg School District 5 spokesman Bobby Bentley said the policy is in place so everybody can hear their graduates name called.

"As a district and student body, we want the graduation ceremony to be very dignified," said Bentley.

Officers were spread out over the crowd to identify the guests who they felt were disruptive. When asked if someone would be ticketed for simply clapping at a normal level for their graduate, Bentley said, "I don't think so."

Read more: http://www.wyff4.com/news/28020400/detail.html#ixzz1NOMHyYQc