(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Summer Fair

Alleged stabbing at summer fair not true, says Exhibition Association President

Aug 8, 2019 | 10:00 AM

Rumours circulating in the community about a stabbing at last week’s fair, and a ride that was bear maced, are completely false according to the president of the Prince Albert Exhibition Association.

Robbie Ross told paNOW it’s very discouraging to see so much negativity directed toward the fair, when so much work was done this year to help people feel safe, including a greater police presence on the grounds and security checking every bag at the gates.

“This year over last year we increased our [security] hours by around 1,200 to 1,500,” he said, adding there was a concerted effort to have more legs on the ground.

Ross confirmed there was a bear spray incident on the grounds during the exhibition but it was not on a ride and only three people were affected by it. He said in past years they have averaged a lot more bear spray incidents.

“Usually it was at least two per day and there has been years where we have averaged up to three a day,” he said.

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Further to Ross’s comments, a spokesperson for the Prince Albert Police Service also said they had no records related to a report of a stabbing at the Exhibition and Summer Fair. Ross said the board will meet later this week and review ways to improve for next year.

“We might do some changes with the gates as far as getting people through a little quicker. We had some backup this year,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell