STATE FAIR PARK — While fairgoers enjoy rides, games and various fried foods on a stick, security officials focus on the logistics of keeping the visitors safe.
Public safety requires teamwork, multitasking and lots of planning.
Judd Bietz, director of security at the Nebraska State Fair, sat down with his team months ago to discuss parking arrangements, getting 4-H and FFA animals onto the grounds and how many people he would need on staff.
This year he hired 150 people to help with fair security, and he is assisted by the State Patrol and Lincoln police.
During the week, crowd control and parking aren’t big problems, Bietz said.
“There is a push before the concerts, but otherwise it’s pretty tame. The fun happens in the evenings and during the weekends,” he said.
Large crowds mean a lot of motorists needing to park. On busy days, Bietz said, any possible spot available is used for parking.
Police help with traffic control and provide security support from the outside.
The “Rat Pack,” a team of six students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Southeast Community College, help Bietz unload and direct about 5,000 4-H and FFA kids and their animals. They also help with security for concerts, Bietz said.
Members of the Lincoln Amateur Radio Club patrol the grounds on bicycles and on foot, helping with lost children or parked cars with lights on.
About 30 state troopers work two shifts at the fair.
“We’re in charge of security on the midway,” said Lt. Bob Frank of the State Patrol.
On weekends, more officers help handle the larger crowds. Most are on foot, but sometimes three or four are on bike patrol.
Frank said it’s been a quiet fair, with few offenses reported.
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