Wisconsin State Fair plans for increased security in 2012

WEST ALLIS -- Wisconsin State Fair officials announced on Wednesday morning, July 11th new measures to keep those who attend safe during the 2012 run of the fair. The average fairgoer may not notice any big changes. That's because a lot of the added measures are taking place behind the scenes.

The new measures were added in part because of some mob violence that broke out at the midway on opening day of the fair, August 4, 2011. Several young people attacked fairgoers -- and a couple hundred more ran down the street damaging property outside the fair. In all, 11 people were hurt and 31 arrests were made.

Since that day last August, several steps were taking to improve safety -- including a youth admission policy. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 5 p.m.  State Fair personnel will be asking to see ID after that time.

Rather than contract with an outside company, the Fair has hired over 100 additional security officers to conduct these ID checks and enforce the policy.

"That policy, we believe, was extremely well received, but more importantly, it worked," John Yingling, State Fair Board Chairman said.

There's also a new collaboration between West Allis and Milwaukee police, the Sheriff's Office and State Patrol to provide additional patrols both inside and outside of the fair grounds.

A command post will be staffed 24 hours a day during the fair. There will also be 11 new security cameras that will be monitored from that command post.

The State Patrol will also be at all entrances. And bike units -- mounted police and walking patrols -- will also monitor the park.

"This whole proactive approach, and as we did last year, we're not going to allow a few individuals ruin the experience of 911,000 people have at the Wisconsin State Fair," Frenette said.

State Fair officials also announced on Wednesday a new ride and game area that they will manage themselves. It's called "Spin City" -- and it'll feature high-quality new rides, some never seen before in the U.S. That will be located in the Midway area.

The Wisconsin State Fair runs August 2nd through the 12th.

Officials say attendance at the 2011 fair was up 4% over the past year, with over 911,000 attending.