SAU
16
Community
Police
Chiefs Urge Students to Stop
Playing “Assassins” Game
Retained by
SAU 16
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-791-7627
Email: [email protected]
SAU 16 Community Police
Chiefs Urge Students to Stop
Playing “Assassins” Game
EXETER — Student Administrative Unit (SAU) 16 Superintendent
Michael Morgan and police chiefs in the unit’s six communities
are urging Exeter High School seniors to stop playing the game
“Assassins” due to the threat it imposes on the safety and
security of the community.
The Assassins game has become a widespread tradition on high
school and college campuses. It is comprised of two-person
teams pursuing their assigned “targets” with water guns,
inheriting the targets of those they successfully squirt. The
last team not to get squirted wins. In the communities
surrounding Exeter High School, students are dressing in dark
clothing and sneaking around people’s homes late at night and
in the early morning hours in order to get their target and
advance in the game. This presents a danger to the community
and an increase in police department calls for service, which
allocates vital police resources to the game, when there could
be real emergencies elsewhere.
“SAU 16 is aware of the game being played by students who
attend Exeter High School. This is of serious concern not
only for school officials but also for police officials and
parents,” Superintendent Morgan said. “School officials are
very concerned with the foreseeable and dangerous results that
this game could cause. In this day and age of violence and the
constant media reports of shootings, the harm that this game
could cause to a family or community is devastating. School
officials do their best to make students aware of potential
dangers involved in this game, but families have to be aware
of the potential consequences as well.”
The game has led to an increase in calls of suspicious
activity to area police departments, often by neighbors. While
parents may know what the game entails, their neighbors do
not, prompting reports of a suspicious person in the
neighborhood. Area Chiefs have advised their officers to keep
the game in mind when responding to suspicious activity calls,
which, in turn, can put officers’ safety at risk.
In addition, participants characteristically drive away from
scenes erratically, which could initiate a motor vehicle stop
by the police and a potential driving citation. As its
popularity grows, Assassins has begun to pose threats to
communities nationwide. Accidents have occurred and criminal
charges have been filed as a result of the game.
“This game is not only dangerous to students, but also poses a
safety concern for responding officers,” Chief Shupe said. “I
caution against parents allowing their students to play. There
are other ways for the senior class to come together.”
Stratham Chief John Scippa added, “The area police departments
do not wish to dampen the celebrations surrounding graduation.
However, it’s our job to keep everyone safe in the process.”
“I am proud that the area chiefs have come together to address
this issue,” said Newfields Chief Nathan Liebenow. “We hope
our collaboration with each other and SAU 16 will put a stop
to the game immediately.”
Brentwood Chief Wayne M. Robinson said, “We encourage parents
to address the dangers of this game with their children, and
find a new solution that achieves the same level of class
bonding.”
“Our community is not the only one affected by this game,”
added East Kingston Chief Timothy J. Connell. “Police
departments nationwide have seen the consequences of teenagers
sneaking around with water guns and other fake weapons, all in
a manner of good fun.”
“It is our duty to keep those tragedies from happening in our
towns and school, said Kensington Chief Scott Sanders. “We are
here to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and their
families.”
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