News Story - Idaho State Journal

BLACKFOOT -- About 200,000 people attend the Eastern Idaho State Fair, each year, making policing the Blackfoot event a big job.

Under age drinking and smoking are common problems, but during the past decade, gang violence has also been an increasing concern during the eight-day event.

Security at the fair is made up of off-duty police officers from a half dozen local law enforcement agencies.

Gary Hagen, a retired Idaho Falls officer, and a former security supervisor at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, said all security personnel at the fair are certified law enforcement officers. The presence of trained officers helps to reduce the number gang-related incidents during the fair.

"I think it helps. They know that we are real policemen, not rent-a-cops," Hagen said.

Fighting among rival gangs is a constant concern for the fair's 40-member security force. However, Hagen said the well-seasoned officers are equipped to identify gang activity and defuse potentially violent situations.

"The officers who are here represent law enforcement from across Eastern Idaho," Hagen said. "This is probably one of the best trained most experienced forces in the state."

Hagen said gang members from throughout Southeast Idaho come to the fair each year. Colored bandannas identify gang affiliation and members range in age from 9 to 30 years old.

Mike Huston, with the Bonneville County Sheriff's office, said the security officers work in cooperation with the Blackfoot police.

The security crew provide statements to local police and escorts the offender to a communication station at Maple Street Park, adjacent to the fairgrounds. Blackfoot police then issue the citation.

Huston, who's worked the fair for the past eight years, said under age consumption is closely monitored during the fair.

"The people in the beer gardens are pretty good to check to I.D.," Huston said. "They don't want to lose their license."

But Mike Hirschi, a Madison County deputy, said the problem is adults buying alcohol for minors at the fair. He said the same penalties apply inside the Blackfoot fairgrounds as the rest of the state for adults who contribute to under age drinking.

This is Hirschi's first year as part of the fair's security team. His son Dustin, a Rexburg police officer, asked him to partner up with him this year.

Officers at the fair work 16 hours a day and most stay at the fairgrounds in RVs and campers.

Most of the law enforcement officials take vacation time to police the Blackfoot venue.

Hirschi said his day starts at 8 a.m.

The officers patrol on foot. Tuesday, Hirschi checked behind trailers on the midway and the lawn outside the arena looking for under age smokers and drinkers.

"I've thought that I should get a pedometer just to see how many miles I walk each day," he said. "This is pretty much what we do."

Hirschi said usually, fair-goers approach him if they have a problem.

The officers work in pairs and all carry concealed weapons while on the job.

Theft is not a big problem during the fair, but so far this year, five wallets have been turned in to the security office, located at the main gate.

"Of course the money is gone, but their credit cards and other documents were left," Hirschi said.

He encouraged fair-goers to keep a close eye on bags and purses. Leaving a purse dangling from a stroller or chair is asking for trouble.

Lost children are also a common occurrence during the fair. Hirschi advised families to pick a designated spot to meet if they get separated, and he added that young children should never be left unattended at the fair.

Security teams concentrate on areas where large crowds gather, like the West Event Stage and the midway. Officers stay connected by radio and back up is never far away.

Hirschi said the fair takes on a different atmosphere at night.

"During the day, it's more family oriented," he said. "At night it tends to be more kids and that's when we see more gang activity."

Hirschi said officers spend much of the day observing the crowd to spot potential problems and deal with them before they become incidents.

Three medical stations are also set up at the fair.

This document was originally published online on Wednesday, September 03, 2008

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