Kern County Fair adds walk-through AI screening, magnetometers at all gates
Fair officials and Bakersfield police outlined tighter entry screening, a visible officer presence, and family wristbands as the Kern County Fair opens for its 12-day run.
Kern County Fair adds walk-through AI screening, magnetometers at all gates
Key Takeaways
- Magnetometers are set up at all three Kern County Fair gates, with bag checks at entry.
- Fair staff say walk-through AI detection, introduced last year, will speed screening.
- Bakersfield police plan a large on-grounds presence, with help from other agencies.
- A wristband program will help reunite lost children with families.
The midway lights were still warming up when Chelsey Roberts ran through the checklist. "Magnetometers at all three gates, bag checks, and our partnership with Bakersfield Police," the Kern County Fair marketing specialist said. The fair opens for a 12-day run, and security is getting the same size-up as the crowds.
Here is what changed this year, and why people headed to the gates should care by the time they reach the turnstile.
What changes at the gate
Roberts said the fair tightened the front door. Magnetometers are in place at each entrance and bags will be checked before guests get to the rides. She added that walk-through AI screening, which the fair started using last year, helps move the line because people keep walking while the system flags potential problems. "They can just walk in and the detection is incredible," she said.
Standard fair stuff, until you get to the gates.
Officials did not name the vendor behind the screening tools or share any detection statistics on Wednesday. That leaves questions about false alarms and how long data from the screens might be stored.
Police strategy and presence
Inside the grounds, Bakersfield police Sgt. Otterness said his team used last year’s playbook to plan for this year’s crowds and the issues they saw then, including weapons violations, prohibited gang activity and public intoxication. He said fairgoers will see officers everywhere. "You’re going to be able to go probably 10 to 15 feet. You’re going to be able to see some sort of law enforcement officer somewhere," Otterness said. Other law enforcement agencies will assist.
The department and the fair’s hired security staff will work side by side. That coordination, Otterness said, is meant to make it easy for a visitor to flag help quickly if something seems off or someone needs a hand.
It was 94 degrees in the afternoon.
Help for families and concerts
To cut the panic of a lost-child call, officers and fair staff are offering wristbands with a parent’s phone number at entry. "In the event of their separation between the kids and the family, we have a way to be able to communicate," Otterness said.
Roberts said the Budweiser Pavilion, where the free concerts draw shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, will get extra attention. Bakersfield police will set up a camera tower with a wide view of the area, and staff watching the feeds can zoom in. "They can get as detailed as seeing you texting on your phone," she said.
The goal is a fair that feels safe without choking the fun, Roberts said. "I feel extremely safe coming out here every single night, and so I hope that it kind of translates to our community that. This is a safe place to be."
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