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Village news - Guam Pacific Daily News

Posted: 22 Sep 2009 08:54 AM PDT

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Police presence meant to deter criminal activity at State Fair - Edmond Sun

Posted: 20 Sep 2009 04:56 PM PDT

Published: September 21, 2009 10:33 pm

Police presence meant to deter criminal activity at State Fair

Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Police have a reminder for Edmond residents: While you're having fun on the Oklahoma State Fair midway, thieves may be burglarizing your car.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans flock to the fair for the tasty food, heart-thumping rides, entertainment and various exhibits. Some leave their valuables in their cars — in plain view — and that can cost them.

Edmond Police Officer Randy Payne said many of the tips that apply to everyday personal safety and protecting your property apply to the State Fair, open daily through Sunday evening.

They include:

Don't leave valuables in your car in plain view. Instead, stow them out of sight in the trunk.

Don't walk alone. Walk in pairs or with larger groups.

Take unneeded valuables out of purses.

Don't carry a lot of cash in one pocket. When you count bills out of a large sum, thieves may be watching. Instead, put bills in separate places.

Don't just be talking on your cell phone. Be aware of your surroundings.

Keep a constant eye on your children.

Check the inside and around your car before entering to ensure that no one is hiding there.

Oklahoma City Police spokesman Capt. Steve McCool said each year the OKCPD does the best it can to protect fair-goers from Oklahoma City and from other cities across the state, paying attention to both the fair grounds and parking lots.

McCool said the aim is to have the safest possible environment so fair-goers can concentrate on having fun and not worrying about their personal safety.

Types of incidents investigated by uniformed and undercover police officers include disturbance calls, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and missing children or missing adults, McCool said.

In parking lots, police patrol on horseback and on ATVs, McCool said. Members of the horse patrol are supplied by the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, which also lends a hand on fair grounds, he said. A local volunteer civilian group also provides extra eyes in parking lots.

McCool said planning for security at the State Fair includes deploying fewer officers during daylight hours and more during busier evenings and weekends at most locations.

To date at this year's State Fair, which opened Sept. 17, police have investigated three auto burglaries, McCool said. Last year, there were three, and there were four in 2007. McCool said for car thieves, it's about opportunity or convenience.

Regarding missing children, McCool said it has been a while since police have investigated more than a brief incident. Last year, police investigated 58 missing person incidents, the year before 50. All the persons were reunited with families, McCool said.

Other enforcement areas include preventing the sale of alcohol to minors.

Tickets may be bought at all tickets.com outlets, at participating Buy For Less stores in Oklahoma City, www.tickets.com, by calling 800-511-1552 or at the gates. Visit www.okstatefair.com for complete State Fair details.

marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108