Heavy law enforcement presence keeps watchful eye on State Fair safety

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina State Fair is back. Gates opened Thursday at noon with a crowd of people lined up to enjoy amusement rides and fun fair foods.

Nearly 1 million people attended the fair last year. The same number of people is expected again this year.

Watching the crowds closely is the team of law enforcement officers who will patrol the fairgrounds during the next 10 days.

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State Fairgrounds Police Chief Anthony Prignano said they have more than 54 agencies coming in to help on the grounds, as well as more than 100 police officers and security staffers.

"We try to disperse them as evenly as possible between our gates and on the grounds, so well over 100 police officers per day assisting with the security of the grounds," said Prigano.

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According to the State Fair, staff members will operate two security checkpoints at each gate. Fairgoers who bring a clear bag will go through a much quicker inspection. There is no size limit to the clear bags allowed. Attendees without clear bags will go through the bag search line.

"It's going to help you get through the gates quicker. But if you don't, we're still going to search those bags. It's going to delay you just a little bit. But we have to make sure that there's no weapons coming in on the grounds," said Prigano.

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The chief of police also shared that the No. 1 call for service every year at the state fair is missing children.

He advises parents to take a picture of their child as soon as they enter the gates to help locate the child quickly if they go missing.

"Every gate is going to have a destination fun banner. So, as you enter, take a picture of your children in front of that banner. Should your children come up missing, you can go to law enforcement and say, I am looking for these children right here. We can take that photo and put it out to all of our staff. We can start looking immediately," Prigano said.

Alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, knives, brass knuckles, batons and/or weapons of any type are not allowed.

Service dogs are allowed, but pets are prohibited.