Budget boost means big changes for Iowa State Fair security
One of the biggest events of the summer is getting a sizable security upgrade in 2018.
Officials with the Iowa State Fair said they have increased the fair’s security budget by 20 percent.
The additional funds will allow fair organizers to replace its body guards with sworn police officers.
That's to fund their special force, formerly made up of security guards into sworn police officers.
"There are certain things a certified police officer can bring to the table that a security officer can't,” Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said.
Prominent metro entertainment venues like Stephens Auditorium and the Civic Center have already taken additional precautions in the wake deadly attacks across the country.
"We're always taking a look at world events to make sure we are mitigating anything that could happen here at the state fair,” said Doug Mollenhauer, director of public safety at the Iowa State Fair.
In addition to two weeks of the Iowa State Fair, more than 350 events happen on the fairgrounds each year.
The Iowa State Patrol, Des Moines Police and Polk County Sheriff's Department will still help out at the Iowa State Fair.
Dinkla said the good news is that there are relatively few issues at the Iowa State Fair.
“Only about two percent of the attendees might have an incident with law enforcement,” Dinkla said.
“(The fair is) like an eleven-day Saint Patrick’s Day party to some people,” Parizek said. "You don't expect tragedy to happen there."