Children’s safety is top priority at fair

Police officers and deputies will be busy providing security on and around the Washington Parish Fairgrounds this week.

The Franklinton Police Department is responsible for security south of Mile Branch, while the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office secures the fairgrounds north of Mile Branch, which includes the midway.

FPD Lt. Justin Brown shared some tips that parents and fairgoers should do to ensure there experience is a safe one.

First off, Brown suggests parents take a photograph of their child or children with a cell phone or camera. In the event the child and parent become separated, law enforcement will have a recent, or even same-day, photograph that will help them look for their child.

Also, parents should provide their children with the parents’ contact information on a piece of paper and instruct the children to give it to a police officer in the event they get lost, Brown said. Parents should also pick out a meeting location for them and their child.

At today’s 10 a.m. Fair Parade in Franklinton, Brown said parents should be mindful that large floats, horses and vehicles driven in the parade can pose a hazard to children entering the pathway of the route.

“The police department would like to remind parade attendees that no alcohol is allowed along the parade route or on the premises of the fairgrounds,” Brown said.

In addition to alcohol, the following items are also prohibited on the fairgrounds: weapons, golf carts and ATVs.

 Although pick-pocketing has never been a problem, the police department would advocate keeping money in front pockets, Brown said.

“Furthermore, never leave anything of value, including children, unattended in strollers or out of your eye sight.”

However, car burglaries in the vicinity of the fairgrounds has been a problem — especially in the area of the little league baseball complex.

The police department along with the mounted patrol from Rayburn Correctional Center will be actively patrolling these problem areas, said Brown.

He said fairgoers should not keep valuables in their car, or they should at least be out of sight.

As always, traffic congestion will be an issue.

The Knight Field near the Fairground’s Rodeo Arena will be a $5 pay to park area this year so plan accordingly if you choose to park in this location, Brown said.

“Several residents around the fairgrounds, to include the Rutter Rex property, offer a pay to park option at a reasonable rate with only a short walk. Fair attendees should consider utilizing one of these pay to park areas if they don’t wish to wait in traffic,” Brown added.

Concerning traffic, 10th Avenue from Alford Street to Bene Street is designated as a one way northbound during the fair.  Police will also be escorting the music acts to and from the fairgrounds.  Motorists are asked to yield to emergency vehicles at all times, especially when escorts are in progress.

Prior to taking part in fair activities, patrons should familiarize themselves with certain locations at the fairgrounds.  Points of interest could include police and sheriff’s office command posts, restrooms, first aid stations and information booths.