The annual Kern County Fair is underway, along with new security measures and ways to “go green.”
The fair staff has teamed up with the Kern County Sheriff’s Department to heighten security. Safety additions include a new fingerprinting device that takes a digital imprint and sends the image to a central office, which, in turn, tells the officer that person’s information. This can be used in situations where an officer does not believe that someone is telling the truth about his or her identity.
Fingerprinting isn’t the only new safety issue. A concern is now on registered sex offenders, and the fair is considered a hot zone. The State Patrol has set up a GPS system to inform the department if an offender enters the fairgrounds. If this happens, that person will be arrested on the spot and sent back to prison.
Sgt. Barker of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department explained that all registered sex offenders have been informed of the new system, and, if they go to the fair, it will be a violation of their parole. Bill Blair, CEO of the Kern County Fair, said fair employees and representatives pride themselves on safety and security.
Along with safety, the fair has found a way to “go green.” Blair said that they now generate their own electricity and explained the savings.
“We took numbers from 2006 and started generating the electricity in 2007, and, in one year, it has saved us close to $100,000,” he said.
PG&E has also teamed up with ways to help them save. Blair also stated that the saved money is to go toward paying off the fair mortgage.
Not only does the fair create their own energy, but they recycle, too. 85 percent of trash at the fair gets recycled, including animal waste, cans, plastic and cardboard.