First responders honored
Police cruisers, fire trucks and ambulances lined the parking lot and the streets around St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church, 100 Central Ave., Monday morning as first responders gathered for a free breakfast honoring their service to the community on the anniversary of 9/11.
Sponsored by Squire Circle 5700 youth group, Knights of Columbus Council 6419 and the congregations of both St. Mary’s and St. John’s churches, the event was chaired by Dayton Myers, a ninth-grader who is chief squire of Squire Circle 5700.
Around 450 plates and to-go boxes filled to the brim with a Southern breakfast with all the trimmings were served from 6 to 9 a.m. Hot Springs Police Chief Jason Stachey was seen leaving with several bags full of to-go boxes for his on-duty officers, as many
guards have used handheld metal detectors to search for weapons. Weapons, including concealed carry firearms, are banned from the fairgrounds.
Shoptaw said additional lighting has also been installed in the parking lots and security will be conducting “roving patrols” in those areas.
“With the crime that we’ve had this year, we just think we need to step it up a little,” Shoptaw said.
This year, Little Rock police have reported more than 2,350 violent crimes — including homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults — as of Sept. 4. That’s an 18 percent increase than the department logged through the same time last year.
Officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office have said it also will have about 15 to 20 deputies patrolling the fair.
Little Rock police spokesman officer Steve Moore said more than 90 officers will be assigned to the fair.
The fair will be Oct. 12 to Oct. 22.