THE BALLOON MAN

Violence prompts new rules for minors at State Fair

Associated Press photo Extra security was brought on and a curfew for youth was set at the Wisconsin State Fair on Friday because of the violent attacks Thursday. Fair goers under the age of 18 must now be accompanied by an adult into the fair after 5 p.m.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Saturday, August 6, 2011

MILWAUKEE — Violence on the opening night of the Wisconsin State Fair by rampaging youths prompted extraordinary measures Friday: Gov. Scott Walker called in the State Patrol and fair officials implemented new rules to keep unattended minors off the grounds at night. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Ed Flynn, meanwhile, vowed Friday to beef up policing at this weekend's public events around the city to limit any chance of more violence. The trouble at the fair started around 7 p.m. Thursday in the Midway area, where the amusement rides are, when fights broke out among black youths, said Tom Struebing, chief of the State Fair police. Those fights did not appear to be racially motivated, but witnesses said later attacks were. Then, around closing time at 11 p.m., witnesses told the Journal Sentinel, dozens to hundreds of black youths attacked white people as they left the fair, punching and kicking people, and shaking and pounding on vehicles. At least 31 people were arrested — many for disorderly conduct —in connection with the series of incidents on the fairgrounds and on the streets outside. At least 11 people, seven of them police officers, were injured, officials said. Twenty-four people were arrested within the fairgrounds by State Fair police. West Allis police arrested seven people, five of them juveniles, outside the fairgrounds.
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