Those attend this year's fair, which starts this Friday and runs through Oct. 21, can expect closer searches of all bags, as well as the addition of plainclothes officers. Restroom attendants also have been hired to increase security and cleanliness in the restrooms. In addition, anyone found carrying knives will be asked to check them at the gate and reclaim them on leaving the fairgrounds. Firearms, alcohol and drugs will be prohibited from the property.
"We want fairgoers to know they can feel safe while at the fair," State Fair Manager Wesley Wyatt said in a press release. "The best advice we can offer is to leave your weapons, alcohol and drugs at home. ... The safety and security of our fairgoers is our top priority."
Wyatt said the job of the security personnel will be to scrutinize the fairgoers and prevent any potential problems.
Although metal detectors will not be used, Matthew Cleary, public safety chief and head of security, said more than 100 security officers will be on the grounds.
Most of the security personnel will consist of Raleigh police officers, Wake County sheriff's deputies and state Highway Patrol troopers.
"The officers know what to look for," Cleary said. "If something looks suspicious, they will use appropriate measures to look into it."
Members of many other local and state agencies also will provide security, including the Capitol police, the National Guard, the American Red Cross, Wake Emergency Management, the State Bureau of Investigation and Western Wake Fire and Rescue.
"We really have an alphabet soup of personnel here in terms of public safety," Wyatt said.
He said no exhibits will be closed as a security precaution, including those that sell handcrafted knives.
Strong attendance is expected for the fair despite the increase in security. The fair routinely draws more than 800,000 total visitors with as many as 130,000 daily on the weekends.
The attendance at the Sept. 7-16 N.C. Mountain State Fair near Asheville was down slightly from last year, but Wyatt said the lower turnout should be attributed to rain rather than the terrorist attacks.
Wyatt said he does not think security concerns will dissuade a large number of people from attending the fair. He said, "It is a place where people can go to have a good time and enjoy themselves."
The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.
