State Fair - Increased Security

The opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair was near perfection compared to last year.

The fights, the violence, the mob attacks on innocent fairgoers didn't mark the beginning of the 2012 Fair.

That's very good news.

From what I witnessed, all was well.

From FOX6 News:

As the 161st Wisconsin State Fair kicked off Thursday, August 2nd, there was an increase in security in place following Opening Day violence last year. Organizers are ramping up security for the fair’s 11-day run, hoping to avoid the violence seen last year.

On the State Fair grounds, there is more chatter from law enforcement officials’ radios, and more officers on patrol.

Wisconsin State Fair officials say over 900,000 officials attended the fair last year. To handle these large crowds, police patrolled the grounds on horseback, bikes and on foot.

“We have over 100 security personnel as well, so they are trained in crowd control. They also do bag checks at the gates, and they enforce our youth admission policy which is no one over the age of 18 can come in after 5:00 p.m. without a parent or guardian,” Kristi Chuckel with the Wisconsin State Fair said.

There’s an increase in patrols on the fairgrounds, as well as in the neighborhoods surrounding the fair, including 84th Street.

There are also command posts set up throughout the grounds, which operate 24/7, and enhanced security cameras, providing high resolution images.

Here's video:


I wasn't at all afraid to go to the Fair on Thursday. I was confident that security would be adequate to maintain safety.

I didn't think the thugs of 2011 would be able to deliver a repeat performance.

I was at the Fair last year on opening day, when the violence occurred. I left the grounds about an hour before the mob attacks and I didn't go to the midway while I was there. When I went home that night, I knew nothing whatsoever of all that had transpired.

It was so shocking and frightening to learn the next day that people were attacked as they left the Fair, for being white.

But the Wisconsin State Fair responded appropriately, immediately enacting a youth/parental guardian admission policy.

The policy remains in effect for the 2012 Fair.

In addition, there were noticeable changes this year, part of the enhanced security.

At the parking lot on the fairgrounds, along with a parking stub, we were handed a yellow card explaining new procedures.



Before purchasing tickets, there were stations for searches.

I was asked to open my small backpack. I didn't have a problem with that. The security personnel were very pleasant and polite.

Once inside the Fair, I noticed more police than in past years, definitely a more visible presence. But, it wasn't unsettling at all. It wasn't extreme. In fact, if one wasn't paying attention to the security, it would have been easy to miss. There's so much activity, so much else going on that demands attention.

I fully support the new security measures. I think they're reassuring.

There's no question people shouldn't stay away because of last year's violence.

After another wonderful time at the Fair, I left happy with a 6-pack of cream puffs.