Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Security tightens at State Fair
The Dallas Morning News ^ | September 30, 2002 | By KRISTEN HOLLAND / The Dallas Morning News

Posted on 09/30/2002 4:54:49 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP


Security tightens at State Fair

09/30/2002

By KRISTEN HOLLAND / The Dallas Morning News

Visitors to the State Fair of Texas have found what they were told to expect - tight security.

Though this year, there seems to be more of it.

"The safest, safest place to be is Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas," Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said during Friday night's opening ceremonies.

Some weekend fairgoers think she might be right.

Although the number of security personnel is about the same as last year, and handheld metal detectors are being used again, there's a new wrinkle: Workers are checking nearly everyone.

Last year, security officers searched about one in every 20 visitors and used handheld scanners infrequently, especially on slow days. Tougher standards - including the use of scanners - were implemented after the terrorist attacks last year.

"There are certain days that you might not search everybody coming in, but we're going to search the vast majority," said Dan Lewis, president and co-owner of D&L Entertainment Services.

"As much as possible, that's going to be the profile for most of the fair."

State Fair officials contracted with D&L to provide security personnel at this and last year's fair. The Dallas Police Department is in charge of overall security plans.

Mary Mays, supervisor of the fair's Martin Luther King entrance, agreed with the mayor.

"If I thought something was going to happen, I wouldn't be here," said Ms. Mays, a fair employee for the last 26 years. "And that's the truth."

The grounds are tighter at night, too. For the most part, the fair is sealed off from midnight to 6 a.m.

Leigh Steiner spent the entire weekend on the fairgrounds - nights included. Officials granted her a special permit to stay overnight with her four llamas, which she has entered in competitions.

"I love my llamas," she said. "I worry about them being around unfamiliar people in a strange place. They get to where they are as attached to you as you are to them."

Jewel Reed stayed with her llamas during the day but spent the nights at a relative's home.

"They have people here all night," she said. "We leave all our stuff."

On an average day, about 200 Dallas police officers patrol the fairgrounds and surrounding area on foot and horseback, by bicycle and in golf carts or watch from elevated towers.

Also Online

Video: Mary Ann Razzuk reports

More officers are scheduled to work the days when events are scheduled at the Cotton Bowl.

For about an hour Saturday morning at the Midway gate, security officers scanned everyone - including fair workers - and searched purses, backpacks and strollers. The same was true at the Martin Luther King gate.

Not even a red wagon toting a young visitor made it through without a spot check at the Midway gate.

On Sunday afternoon, security officers checked everyone entering the fair with hand wands and examined purses, bags and even strollers.

Marsha Shaw of Waxahachie said she was impressed with the level of security at the fair.

"We didn't come last year, because the fair was so close to Sept. 11 and we just didn't know what to expect," Mrs. Shaw said. "We commented that they were doing an excellent job checking everybody. Everywhere you turn, the police are driving carts or standing around."

Fair spokeswoman Nancy Wiley said security has been a major concern for years.

"There is a reassurance of seeing police officers in stands and on horseback," she said. "Those are all things that pre-date Sept. 11."

After making it past security on Saturday, Mike Jensen eagerly filled in the blanks on a "Lost Kids" wristband for his grandson, Michael.

"We usually put a tether on him," Mr. Jensen said. "But now he's 4, and he's getting older. It makes me feel safer."

"You know how children wander off," Johnny Ector said as his wife secured bands around their boys' wrists outside the Martin Luther King gate.

The numbered bands include a space for the child's name, address and phone number, plus a guardian's name and important information. Parents are supposed to keep a copy of the tag number.

Fair spokeswoman Nancy Wiley said the bands have been available for the last five to seven years. Parents can pick them up at most gates and the lost children's area on the midway.

"It's a lot easier if you have that information," Ms. Wiley said. "Some kids are too little or too scared to communicate the information."

E-mail kholland@dallasnews.com .


Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/093002dnmetfairsecurity.26df0.html


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: dallas; terroristsecurity; texas; texasstatefair

1 posted on 09/30/2002 4:54:49 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
>Officials granted her a special permit to stay overnight with her four llamas, which she has entered in competitions.

>"I love my llamas," she said. "I worry about them being around unfamiliar people in a strange place. They get to where they are as attached to you as you are to them."

I saw the llama competition at our state fair. Very intense llama hand to hand.

2 posted on 09/30/2002 5:04:04 AM PDT by Dialup Llama
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
Didn't notice any increased security at the Virginia State Fair. All that's different (as far as I can tell) is that there weren't any birds on display due to the Avian flu that's hit pretty hard in Virginia.
3 posted on 09/30/2002 6:33:36 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dialup Llama
I saw the llama competition at our state fair.

Didn't enter yourself this year? :)

4 posted on 09/30/2002 6:39:25 AM PDT by general_re
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

I'M BACK!!!

SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com


STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

WIPE THE SMILE OFF OF THIS MAN'S FACE.
VOTE THE RATS
OUT!! DONATE TODAY
SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate here by secure server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794


5 posted on 09/30/2002 7:34:02 AM PDT by William McKinley
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson