Officials say State Fair is still "a safe place" | News

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Officials say State Fair is still "a safe place"

Submitted by Libby Hendren, News Producer

Friday, February 14th, 2014, 8:31pm

Topics: News

Tampa, FL -- The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office wants everyone to know the Florida State Fair is still "a safe place to go."

That was Hillsborough County Sheriff's Col. Jim Previtera's message, one week after officials had to close the Fair early because of rowdy behavior.

Last week, Friday night officials say groups of teens and young adults started "wilding" or running and throwing things in the midway. Previtera said even some deputies were punched.

Officials ejected 99 people and made 12 arrests before closing the fair 3 hours early.

But since then security has been stepped up and Previtera says there have been no problems. If there are problems, authorities say that tonight, they will take swift action.

"Tonight we will arrest people and we will arrest them early and we will arrest them often if necessary to ensure that the fair remains peaceful," Previtera told 10 News.

The Florida State Fair runs through Monday night.

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