Security tightens at State Fair
Posted on 09/30/2002 4:54:49 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Security tightens at State Fair
09/30/2002
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.
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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 .
>"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.
Didn't enter yourself this year? :)
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