Pennridge High School’s senior students play a game called Jackal, this game has been played for many years. The goal of the game is to get your assigned targets out by using water guns. However, someone else has you as their target. If you get out, you cannot shoot your targets.  If your partner is still in the game, they can get both of your targets out and you will join again in the next round. Although the game may sound fun, there are a lot of issues that have arisen because of the game. 

Pennridge High School does not encourage the game. There was an email sent out to parents, police, and administrators which stated that the game is not school-sponsored, supported, sanctioned, or authorized. The game is run by students outside of school. The game is often played in the dark and people sneak on to other properties with water guns that can easily be mistaken as actually guns. In the email, Pennridge sent out they also included a link to an article about a Central Bucks East Senior who was hit by a car in 2019, around 8 p.m. When he was hit, he was playing the game, Jackal.  So far this year, there have been many complaints from local community members and the police. Sergeant Timothy Maloney from Pennridge Regional Police stated, “They aren’t exempt from any crimes just because they’re playing a game.” Pennridge warned anyone engaging in criminal activity will be charged. 

Due to the game of Jackal, there was a major car accident this year, leaving both cars totaled. It occurred on Ridge Road, right after school.  It was a head-on collision, that involved two high school students playing the game, and a civilian. There were no significant injuries because of the accident. Many students are taking the game too seriously.  There was a five-hour standoff with multiple students playing. The police were finally called, and the students were sent home.

Students are putting themselves in danger trying to get their targets out. There was a video posted on the Pennridge Jackal Instagram showing two students standing in front of a moving car. There have been other videos posted of people pinning other targets down to get them out. There also has been a lot of drama on Instagram, debating whether or not people should be considered out. 

Jackal started on March 8.  The game is now in the second round and there have been many conflicts. Pennridge has emphasized that they do not support the game. People have been putting themselves and others in danger. A serious car accident, complaints to the police, and parents complaining are just a handful of issues that have occurred one week into playing the game. The game may sound like it is fun, but in reality, it is dangerous.