Bigger police presence at Big Fresno Fair to keep community safe

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Big Fresno Fair may end at midnight, but it's far from over for police officers.

The Fresno Police Department has added more officers to the outside of the fairgrounds this year to keep the surrounding areas safe and fairgoers are noticing the increased police presence.

"This is by far the most I've seen patrol in a really long time," said, Katrina Sauceda, fairgoer.

Police officers said they are not only patrolling the streets after the fair to make sure things remain calm on the outside, but their helicopters are also flying over to get a view of what's going on from above.

Lt. Richard Tucker, with the Fresno Police Department, "Over half a million people attend this fair, and that is a lot of people coming in from Fresno County and outlying communities. So when you think about that many people coming to the fair, you really want to have those resources there, two it makes people feel safe as well."

Lt. Tucker said his extra teams of officers are patrolling the parking lots, and making sure people get back to their cars safely, especially after dark.

"Definitely with everything going on in the recent weeks and years, this place still feels safe, feels like home, feels like a place we can always come to," said Sauceda.