The victims of this week’s mass shootings were just going about their daily lives and spending time with friends and family. It’s what thousands are doing in the Milwaukee area at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Sunday afternoon as Nancy Carlos and her family enjoyed the day at the State Fair, it was hard to not think about the tragedies that occurred over the last 24 hours.
“You would think and hope that nobody’s going to ruin a fair like this,” Carlos said. “You feel terrible because they were just out living their lives, doing whatever they wanted to do, going grocery shopping, house shopping.”
She’s concerned especially as a parent with young kids.
“You’re scared to take them out to fairs like this in public, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Carlos said.
John Veal feels the same.
“It’s just scary knowing that people are out there doing this kind of stuff,” Veal said.
State Fair Park CEO Kathleen O’Leary said they’re taking every precaution when it comes to security.
“I really do believe that anyone that comes to the Wisconsin State Fair can really feel that they are safe at the Wisconsin State Fair,” O’Leary said.
Everyone that comes onto the grounds has to go through a metal detector and get their bags checked.
They also have more than 100 of their own sworn police officers and 400 public safety workers monitoring the event.
“You will see as you walk around that we have great coverage from our mounted police, our bike patrol. We have a detective unit,” O’Leary said.
Those going to the fair realize and appreciate the steps officials are taking to protect them, but they also feel no matter what happens they have to continue living their lives.
“We can come together as a society, race, religion, creed, culture, all come together for a mutual event,” fairgoer, Andrew Weins said. “Got to eat something on a stick, got to get a creme puff.”
“See what new things and new foods we want to try this year like the bug tacos and the alligator meats,” Carlos said.
When it comes to safety it’s also important that you stay aware of your surroundings. Public safety workers are wearing bright yellow, and if you see something suspicious tell them.
