How the Lee County Fair plans to keep visitors safe after deadly DeSoto County shooting

Fifteen days since a teen was killed at a Southwest Florida fair, another fair returns to the area on Thursday.

Investigators said 15-year-old Ryan Watson Junior shot and killed 17-year-old Daniel Rodriguez Lopez at the DeSoto County Fair just over two weeks ago.

The people running that fair said there was increased security but no metal detectors.

With the Lee County Fair starting on Thursday, WINK News wanted to know what they do to keep visitors safe. One thing is certain, they have new safety measures.

Safety and security will be center stage this year, along with all the excitement the fair brings.

WINK News spoke with Mike Peak, the president and a member on the board of trustees of the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair.

“We have a full contingent of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office security detail that we’ve had for many, many years. This will be our fourth year we have the metal detectors with a private security company monitoring them,” Peak said.

“I’m a retiree from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and I got my exposure to this fair by working as a security detail out here myself for many, many years,” Peak said.

Just over two weeks ago, Lopez was shot and killed at the DeSoto County Fair. Peak offered condolences to the family of the victim and explained the layers of security that will keep people safe.

“This year we have a new procedure. This has nothing to do with that event. We actually put this in place as a policy in the Fall, a clear-bag policy. People are going to have to come in with handbags and such with a clear bag. And of course, not diaper bags. People have infants and strollers and need diaper bags. The private security detail will check that,” Peak said.

Last year it was also discovered that a sex offender, using a fake name, was working at the fair. Peak said each person working at the fair would be screened ahead of time, so that it doesn’t happen again.

“We’re going to make sure this year that nobody goes to work here without going through that screening process first,” Peak said.

And for families who want to enjoy themselves at the fair, hearing about all the security measures is music to their ears.

“That gives us more confidence to go there where there’s a lot of people with everything going on nowadays,” Lee County resident Cesar Zarinana said.

“I feel much better with security and background checks on people because it’s your family on the line here,” Cape Coral resident Robert Herrera said.

Peak said he’s excited to announce a lot of new attractions at the fair this year like the foam zone where kids and families can cool off while getting sprayed with different colors of foam that won’t stain clothing.

The fair opens Thursday and runs through March 5.