Recent shootings spark security concerns at street fair

Orange International Street Fair will have an increase in security over safety concerns sparked by recent mass shootings in the country. Photo by KALI HOFFMAN, Photo Editor

The Orange International Street Fair – a three day event that many Chapman students, members of the Orange community and visitors look forward to every Labor Day weekend – will see in increase in security this year as nationwide mass shootings in public areas and crowd violence are on the rise. The street fair sees an average of 400,000 to 500,000 visitors each year, according to Adam Feliz, president of the Orange International Street Fair. 

This year, Street Fair will have increased police presence, according to Sergeant Phil McMullin from the Orange Police Department (OPD). Shootings at the annual Garlic Festival in Gilroy, California, on July 28 and a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, on July 20 left 25 dead and communities on edge. McMullin credited the Gilroy shooting for the increase in Orange community discussions and threat assessments. 

“We got information from the Gilroy Garlic Festival; we talked about El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, Times Square and what we are going to do if something like that happens,” McMullin said. “We go through different scenarios, trainings and we plan out how we are going to communicate with our partners, such as the fire department and public works.” 

After the Gilroy shooting, McMullin and Feliz received emails from members of the Orange community expressing security concerns. “I’ve been living here for so long and I’ve never connected the idea of that at a large public event that could happen until now,” said Camilla Porbe, an Orange resident. More police presence at the event will reduce the risk of a potential threat, as it could be easier to address the threat as soon as possible, McMullin said. 

This year’s Street Fair will have an increase in uniformed and undercover officers from OPD within the crowd. There will also be increased surveillance efforts, which McMullin did not detail due to safety concerns. Past Street Fair weekends have not had as much prominent security. About 27 people nationwide have been arrested for mass shooting threats in the past month, according to CNN. In preparation, OPD met with federal government officials to discuss threat assessment. 

The Orange International Street Fair will remain an open event and will not require visitors to go through security checkpoints or bag checks. “The average person will notice more police visibility, but they won’t notice any other changes,” McMullin said, and noted that OPD officers want “Chapman students or anyone who goes to street fair to see the elephant in the room that doesn’t belong and say something.”

The OPD wants members of the community to recognize the signs of suspicious activity and recommends people to run, hide or fight in an active shooter situation. 

“If the city does its job to get good security, the event will be fine,” said Ricardo Espinosa Hernandez, a freshman biology major. OPD wants people to enjoy the fair and communicate with the police if they see something. “If you see something suspicious, get a hold of a police officer there or call 911.”