What are the security measures at the North Carolina State Fair?

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Friday marked the first full day of the state fair as we’re about to start the weekend. Police told CBS 17 they’re expecting about 100,000 people a day to attend.

Chief Anthony Prignano with the Department of Agriculture said each year, when the fair ends, they pretty much immediately start preparing for next year’s fair. He said more than 150 security and law enforcement officers are on site, ready to respond to any emergency, 24 hours a day—more than 100 of them are armed.

“We look at national trends, international trends. We come up with operational and tactical plans on how to deal with those if it occurs here. We bring in various agencies from the FBI to SBI Intel Unit, Isaac, North Carolina Emergency Management, and we develop specific ops and tactical plans to deal with those,” said Chief Prignano.

They also have cameras, officers in high towers, and other security protocols and procedures to keep people safe.

It’s not just local law enforcement patrolling. A combined 54 agencies across the state have provided staff to help out.

Chief Prignano also asked that everyone attending be on good behavior. He wants people to keep an eye on their children since one of the biggest calls they receive at the fair is for people losing sight of their kids.

Last year, they received more than 50 reports of people losing sight of their children. 

“When you enter the gate, take a picture of your children. Obviously, keep an eye on your children, and then should they come up missing, you have a picture that we can show law enforcement, who are to be dispersed out to all of our law enforcement officers that’s working here, to their various devices, where they can immediately start looking for the children,” Chief Prignano told CBS 17.

He also said if you see anything suspicious, you can call 9-1-1.