Arkansas State Fair Sees Security Increased

The fair is expected to see nearly 30,000 attendees daily, and the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) will be patrolling on and around the fairgrounds.

• By Jessica Davis
• Oct 08, 2018

The 79^th Arkansas State Fair will see an increase in security when it opens on Thursday, Oct. 11, including a visible law enforcement presence.

The fair is expected to see nearly 30,000 attendees daily, and the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) will be patrolling on and around the fairgrounds.

“We will have several police out there throughout the day and evening until it opens and closes,” said Officer Eric Barnes, Public Affairs Liaison for the LRPD.  

Almost 100 armed guards and law enforcement officers will be present, with security provided by LRPD, the Arkansas State Police, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Fair Private Security Commission. Several of these law enforcement agencies will be hosted by a command center on fair grounds, which will also host Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services, the Pulaski County Emergency Management and the City of Little Rock’s Emergency Management Division.

The command center will also include the video surveillance that will monitor fairgoers entering and exiting the fairgrounds. Upon arrival, attendees will have to walk through a metal detector and be subject to a bag search.

“We don’t allow any guns even if you have a concealed and carry,” said Uriel Johnson, Chief of Security for the Arkansas State Fair. “If you try to bring something in we are going to catch it.”  

In addition to the police presence and entry searches, the fair is also offering ID bracelets for children. Parents are able to fill out their contact information on the bracelet and place it on their child’s wrist in case they should be separated.