By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department is going to help some more with security at the Kansas State Fair.
"During the time that the fair is not going on, the Hutchinson Police Department is responsible for all law enforcement services on the State Fairgrounds," said Chief Jeff Hooper. "We assume that responsibility. During the State Fair, traditionally, KHP then comes in and they have assumed all those duties and responsibilities for law enforcement services. We're a support agency for them, transporting prisoners and things of that nature."
A new agreement will change that a bit for this year.
"This year, the State Fair reached out to us and requested some additional law enforcement services that KHP was not going to be able to fulfill," Hooper said. "They are upping their law enforcement presence up there, specifically for some of the larger events and larger concerts and things of that nature. We've entered into a contract with the State Fair to provide those additional resources outside of what KHP can do. It's just a great partnership between the City of Hutch and the State Fair. I just wanted the council to know that we'll be participating in that function."
Hooper did not provide specifics on the terms of the contract, other than to say that the city is receiving a flat fee for its services and he expects the costs to be greater than that fee.