ALBUQUERQUE, NM – For the first time, people will be required to bring a clear bag to all sporting events in the county.

“It’s really just about increasing the safety of our students and our families who come every Friday night for game nights, basketball games and things like that. It’s really just about them knowing they’re safe,” said Sidney Olivas, marketing and media specialist at Los Lunas School.

Olivas explained that there are exceptions to the clear bag rule.

“Diaper bags, doctor’s bags, those are allowed. You can bring a diaper bag if you’re bringing a child. Binoculars, camera equipment, cameras, as long as they’re not in a bag, you can bring those as well. So they’re subject to search. It’s just about making sure everyone is adhering to what they’re allowed to bring,” Olivas said.

Bags smaller than 4 ½ x 6 ½ inches are also allowed – these do not have to be transparent.

Olivas explained that they got the idea from another school district in the state and decided to implement it.

“It’s just something you see in college or professional games, it’s just become standard practice. And most people are pretty positive about the change,” Olivas said.

Los Lunas and Valencia high schools were the first to implement the new rule on Friday.

Many families say they don’t mind:

“We live in different times now and I guess we have to do what is safe for our children and for everyone,” said Stella Molina.

“It gave me an excuse to wear more accessories for my cricket. So I’m excited,” said Laura Silva.

But not everyone considers this measure necessary.

“Has something happened that we need to do or what is the problem? I don’t think we need to,” said Dolores Marquez. “We’ve never done this before and I don’t know if it will encourage people to bring things that aren’t legal.”

At KOB 4, some people were turned away at the door, but were simply asked to put their bags in their cars.

We checked with other school districts to see what policies they have in place. Albuquerque Public Schools says there is currently no set bag policy.

We also wanted to know whether bags are searched at the doors in all stadiums and are waiting for a corresponding answer.

Rio Rancho Public Schools also does not have a district-wide policy on clear bags at sporting events, but a spokesperson told us that bag policies are set by individual schools. Cleveland High School, for example, requires fans to bring clear bags or small clutches no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches, as we saw in Los Lunas.

Statement from Rio Rancho Public Schools:

“Currently, Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) does not have a district-wide clear bag policy for visitors to our sporting events. Some individual schools, such as V. Sue Cleveland High School (CHS), have implemented policies for visitors that require the use of clear bags. The specific language for CHS can be found here. This is consistent with RRPS Policy 915.”

RRPS has dedicated and experienced security personnel at all sporting events, and all bags will be searched upon entering district athletic facilities, regardless of whether a campus has a clear bag policy or not. The safety of our students, staff and visitors is Rio Rancho Public Schools’ highest priority.”

Click here to view the full RRPS Policy 915.