KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash.- A rumor floating around Ellensburg has local law enforcement on high alert. Reports of a potential conflict happening at the Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo had no evidence to support the claim, but there are extra patrols on the fairgrounds to ensure safety.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office, Ellensburg Police and CWU Police are all pitching in to support fair attendees.
KCSO Inspector Chris Whitsett says all three agencies have an established plan and command base if something happens, but currently don’t expect situations to develop.
“There was no direct threat from anybody that something was going to happen,” says Whitsett. “Just people saying they heard something from someone. We’re not going to overreact in a case like that, but we’re not going to under react either.”
Officers and deputies will be more visible and contacting people that start to get rowdy. The goal is to preserve the family-oriented event that attracts many to Ellensburg.
“This is a perfect little concentration of the community that we value so much and that we work so hard to maintain and protect,” says Whitsett. “It’s a super rewarding detail.”
The KCSO Inspector is wearing multiple hats at the fair. Not only working as law enforcement, but also being part of the 4H livestock sale. While working and patrolling, he’s run into the officers from EPD and CWU PD, who have become close partners to KCSO.
“They are people I already know and have worked with,” says Whitsett. “And we train together so there’s a tremendous value in that interdependence and familiarity.”
As of Saturday evening, KCSO says there has yet to be any serious incidents. Officers are looking out for problem signs that could present future incidents but are also asking for the communities help to keep the fair safe.
“If someone is acting like a jerk, that’s enough for us to go talk to them,” says Whitsett. “If somebody is doing something suspicious that leads someone to suspect they’re armed or has ill intent, they should tell one of us that’s walking around the fairgrounds.”
KCSO adds if you see an active incident at the fair, call 911 so officers can respond.
