Sheriff's Office Uses Miniature Jail For State Fair Troublemakers

Crime certainly hasn't been the headline at the state fair this year, but there are bound to be some troublemakers when you bring together that many people.

That's where the fair's miniature jail comes in.

Oklahoma City police are the lead agency at the state fair, but the sheriff's office also plays a major role.

In addition to reserve deputies who help patrol, detention officers staff the fairground jail, a temporary holding facility for anyone breaking the law.

“A lot of it is going to be maybe public intoxication, maybe some drug arrests, maybe juveniles staying after curfew, things like that nature,” Oklahoma County sheriff’s office spokesman Mark Opgrande said.

But it functions just like the intake center at the jail downtown.

The detention officers can complete the entire booking process. They take all of the inmates’ information on these sheets, then collect any belongings they have then walk them straight back into a cell.

“By the time that finish, we can put them in a van, bring them down here and just book them right away,” Opgrande said.

Most of the time, though, officers and deputies are helping fair goers in other ways.

Altogether, there's about one officer for every 100 civilians, but with careful planning and effective communication, they're able to make sure just about everyone enjoys their time at the fair.

The last day of the state fair is Sunday.