While law enforcement and school officials don’t believe a high school student water gun game is nefarious, some are warning the public that the game could be mistaken for illegal activity.

The game of Assassins, which is played by senior high school students from local districts, has been a popular spring tradition for about 20 years.

According to Jackson Township police Chief Terry Seilhamer, the game is played in pairs, with the object being to shoot opponents with water guns to disqualify them.

The rules of the game restrict students from ambushing other players in their place of work or on school property, but parking lots and even outside homes are fair places to strike.

Other rules prevent students from shooting water from vehicles, according to Seilhamer.

“There’s nothing criminal involved in it,” he said. “We’re just trying to make people aware, so there’s not tragic consequences.”

He said Seneca Valley School District, which is in his jurisdiction, has a “very well organized” game where students contribute money to participate and have to follow a lengthy list of regulations.

Principal Bob Ceh, of Seneca Valley Senior High School, said the game has existed for over 20 years, and the school district has never endorsed it.

“This is the first year we’ve come out and said something because we were getting a lot of complaints from the community,” he said. “A business owner called me and said, ‘I don’t want these kids waiting on my property for other kids to come out (of work).’”

Nothing has occurred on school grounds in relation to the game, but given a heightened sensitivity to criminal activity, Ceh said it could result in dire consequences.

“I just think there’s a significant amount of money in the pot,” Ceh said in reference to the game’s prize. “So I think kids are willing to take a few more risks to win it … that’s when it starts to become a problem.”

Superintendent Brian White, of Butler Area School District, said he believes people currently are more conscious of public safety, and because of that, he said there could be consequences for students bringing water guns on school property.

“It could result in a school board hearing for something perceived as a weapon,” he said. “With school safety and threats to safety being what they are, it’s not a game to some anymore.

“The society we live in, we have to make good choices that make people feel safe.”

Butler Township police Chief John Hays said he believes Butler students run their Assassins game later in the school semester, but he has received calls on it over the past couple of years.

“We’re familiar with it. I can agree with other chiefs; it can be dangerous,” he said. “Kids are lurking in the dark waiting for someone.”

He said calls usually relate to reports of “suspicious persons” seen in neighborhoods. He said he does not recall instances of charges being filed, but police have responded to these reports.

“It’s not an extreme amount of calls, but we do get calls on it. Usually officers talk to (students), and that’s the end of it,” he said. “I think it’s all harmless, but it could be dangerous.”

Seilhamer reiterated that there is nothing criminal attached to the game, as he has read the rule book himself.

“I give these kids who are involved credit; there’s like five pages of rules and regulations and instructions for participants,” he said. “I got a kick out of reading some of it.”

He added he has yet to see the game result in criminal activity; however, he wants to make the public aware to avoid mistaking the game for something illegal.

“We try to act reasonably; we don’t want to interfere with anybody’s fun,” he said. “We just want people to be aware.”