Montgomery County police officers will not ban individuals from attending this year’s county fair solely because an individual is a known gang member, contrary to previous years’ policies.
Police officials said they will focus instead on prohibiting the wearing of gang clothing, the flashing of signs or known gang members congregating at the fair.
“We recognize that if a gang member arrives at the fair with their parents or their family, not wearing gang clothing, not flashing gangs signs and not causing disorder, that is a completely different dynamic than individuals inciting mayhem,” Lt. Robert Bolesta said.
Bolesta said the new policy is designed to balance safety and individual rights. He said he and other officers worked with the county attorney, officials from the county agricultural center, which hosts the event, and gang task force officers to develop the new plan.
Despite civilrights complaints from some people asked to leave the fair in the past, Bolesta said the county fair gang policies are necessary to preserve safety.
According to Bolesta, gang task force officers stopped several members of the Bloods from entering the fair last year, one of whom carrying a loaded .32-caliber handgun and had a large quantity of crack cocaine.
“We wanted to make sure that whatever we do is fair, consistent and equitable to anybody who comes to the fair this year,” said Martin Svrcek, executive director of the Montgomery County Agricultural Center. “Everybody we consulted with agrees that gangs are inappropriate in a fair environment.”
Bolesta said he also consulted with black and Latino police liaison groups about the policy changes.
Candace Kattar, executive director of Identity, a nonprofit organization for Latino youth, worked with three men who were asked to leave the fair last year because of suspected gang affiliations. She said she and one of the men barred from attending the fair last year are pleased with the policy changes.
“The new policy reflects an understanding that there are a lot of folks who have extricated themselves from active gang life and are trying to participate in the community,” Kattar said.
Kattar said she believes the police really listened to the concerns of community members while constructing the new policy.
“Gang members who are attending the fair with their child or spouse, enjoying the fair like they would shopping with their family or going anywhere else, would not be subject to this,” Kattar said.
Bolesta said gang task force officers would have to confirm and validate the identity of gang members asked to leave the fair, and “if there is one percentage of doubt, they would be allowed to stay on the property.”
