Minnesota State Fair To Now Check Bags At All Entry Gates

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) -- You will notice something new as you enter the Minnesota State Fairgrounds this year.

The State Fair is making security changes designed to keep the million people who come to the great Minnesota get-together safe.

The Minnesota State Fair is expanding its security program to include bag checks. Starting this year, bags, purses, coolers and packages will be checked at all 11 entrances to the fairgrounds, and that's not all.

"After 9/11 for the 2002 State Fair, we basically turned everything on its head," Minnesota State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer said.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the State Fair has worked with local, state, regional and federal security experts to develop a security plan. Since then, that plan has been expanded.

In 2003, bags were checked at the grandstand. This year, bags will be checked at all 11 entrances to the fairgrounds.

"We've added close to 100 additional security staff from three professional security contractors. This is what they do, this is what they specialize in. They will be conducting the bag checks at our outside gates," Hammer said.

The number of bags people bring into the fairground is not the concern. Officers are only concerned about what's in them. Bag checkers will be looking for prohibited items like weapons, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, drones, bikes, skateboards, skates and hover boards.

Other items may be refused at the discretion of management or police. Most other changes will not be evident to fair-goers, but people should know more cameras will be used to help keep an eye out for crime.

"The number of cameras do not always tell the story. It's what you do with them and our cameras are mobile," Hammer said.

Hammer says there is no specific reason for the increase in security.

"No specific threat at all, no particular threat. It's where we are," he said.

With more than 300 licensed police officers from across the state working the fairgrounds, officers will be ready for everything, including protests. There will also be changes to vehicle access and traffic management, something everyday fair-goers won't notice but should know is designed to keep them safe.