Keep your eye on your children and your car locked up, say authorities who will be policing the Washington Parish Free Fair, now under way in Franklinton.

“We would just ask people to be patient,” said Franklinton Police Detective Justin Brown. “Traffic is going to congested. Parking will always be an issue.”

Brown said FPD and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office will be actively patrolling the fairgrounds and nearby areas throughout the next few days as thousands of people attend the big fair. FPD will be in charge the area south of Mile Branch �” a creek that runs through the fairgrounds �” and WPSO will be in charge of the area north of the Mile Branch.

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No alcohol is permitted on the fairgrounds or surrounding parking lots, and open container laws will be enforced, Brown said.

After finding a place to park, “keep your vehicles locked,” Brown said. He recommends parking in a paid parking place, where someone will be watching the vehicles.

While at the fair, young children can sometimes get lost. A parent or guardian who has lost a child should contact the nearest police officer or deputy, who will immediately put out a search call for the child. It’s a good idea to have a keep a current photo of the child that can be shown to police. If you can take a photo of the child on your cell phone just before entering the fair, that may even be more helpful, Brown said, and be sure to remember what clothes the child is wearing.

Also, parents should write their name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and put it in their child’s pocket.

Coolers and chairs are allowed in the fairgrounds, but weapons are prohibited, Brown said.

The FPD command post will be near the fairgrounds entrance, and the WPSO command post will be near the train in the rear of the fairgrounds.

The fair is expected to be a busy time for police.

“It always is,” Brown said.