Chukchansi Park Taco Truck Throwdown sets record attendance

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Chukchansi Park set an attendance record with the Taco Truck Throwdown. 16,916 people showed up and it had Fresno police on high alert.

Security at Chukchansi Park starts with Evans Hodge, "I'm the first line of defense, I'm on the firing line here," Hodge added.

He's been on the front lines for 4 years, checking purses and backpacks, "We lookin' for any kind of contraband coming through the stadium, knives, guns, bombs, alcohol."

He's also on crowd control, "Everybody," Hodge said, "The line is breaking off over there, so go that way."

It isn't easy, especially on this night. It's a sold out game with thousands of people in the stadium -- all here for tacos with a side of baseball.

Hodge said, "When it's crowded like that, it's a lot, it's a lot going on."

On the outside, in the parking lots and dark corners, there's opportunity of the criminal kind, "Burglaries, thefts," Sergeant David Gibeault with the Fresno Police Department said, "This kind of draws those criminals that are looking for that kind of opportunity."

He's here to keep an eye on the streets, along with 30 other officers and cameras around the stadium.

"You're gonna see officers inside, outside, patrolling around," Gibeault added, "The goal here is to have high visibility."

It all comes back to Hodge at the main gate. Security is his job and he says nothing gets past him, "It's very important, it's safety for all of us," Hodge said.