Hi all,
New to the group but thought I would add to the conversation. It seems that increasingly the government is afraid of its citizenry...but that is an aside.
Prior to 9-11 there were no metal detectors. There were signs scattered about but they did not comply with the effective notice parameters. The "official" DPD policy then was one of don't ask, don't tell. If it became an issue you would be asked to return the weapon to your vehicle.
2001 was the first year I recall metal detectors. As it has already been discusssed, the "search" is by private contract, admission is under the doctrine of "implied consent to search" (like the signs warning that all bags and briefcases are subject to search in sensitive buildings). The contract employees are not the "best and brightest". The first season they prohibited CHL, they had a shooting on the midway. The DPD response was still to be a request to return the weapon to the vehicle. I carried evry time with little trouble. Once with the Glock in a belly band, I was also being monitored for dysrythmias. When the wand squealed I simply lifted my shirt and told him "heart monitor". A deer in headlights look came accross his face with seeing all of the wires and he waved me through. Every other time they either did not detect or did not zero in on the source.
When the state law changed to allow CHL, the first year was great. I once had to show the cop at the gate because the wand person truly had no idea what to do. The cop rolled his eyes in the direction of the security girl and chatted with me a bit before wishing me a good day. The rest of the time they looked and shrugged and on I went.
The next year was horrible. Long wait times, enduring assinine statements by gate personnel and curmudgeonly response by the security supervisors. Two particular instances come to mind:
- Got there midday and went to the East gate, near the barns. I presented my CHL to the wandman and he said, "Let me see it," meaning the weapon. I refused and explained we would be in violation of the law. I instructed him that he was to escort me to the gate supervisor and have them contact a security supervisor. He announced to his partner and the whole line, "I have to walk this guy up, he's got a gun!" My wife was just passing through the gate and thought, "Oh he didn't just holler that." The rest of the people just rolled their eyes. The supervisor took a while and apologized. I told him what happened and he paled. He said that he would pull this "yo-yo" and retrain him.
The next time was worse IMO. We got there about 11:30. I presented the card and was escorted to the gate supervisor. My family went on through. He called for the supervisor and then decided to get all political on me and exuded the woes of society because of guns. He boasted the police ratio was higher per capita than any where else in the United States. When he finished I asked him how the police were to detect and prevent an attack on my family, whether they were changing to remain after 22:00 or leave as per usual practice. I asked whether I would be escorted to my vehicle and whether they would be stationed at every intersection to prevent car jacking. I also rattled off a few statistics about answering on the MICU in the area and the ones I made within the park. My wife came to see what the holdup was and I told her no one had come and "Mr. Whatever" had decided to get political. She went to the security HQ and found all of the supervisors (four) sitting at a break table, she complained to their boss. Before she got back one rolled up with a visible attitude. After he took the information and before returning the card, he decided I needed to be lectured as one would a child. He vehemently warned against "heroics" and getting involved with PD activities. When I tried to interject he became angry and yelled,"Let me finish." Once he did with a, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" I took my license and then very calmly entered into my own dissertation. I said,"Sir, I am (something in the middle aged category). FYI to obtain a CHL one must have a record more immaculate than that required to become a peace officer. Further, I have either been a soldier, a patrol supervisor and a firefighter paramedic all of my adult life. Much of my service with Dallas has been answering in this area the various shootings, rapes and aggravated assaults that occur multiple times a day. Some even inside the park. So I will protect my family and in the meantime you do not need to lecture me on the operations of the DPD or the consequences of Deadly Force. Do you understand?" He frowned and hissed, "Have a nice day."
I was hot, I wrote an email and a certified letter to the fair management. I listed the experiences and suggested several alternatives to then current practices. It and what had to have been multiple such letters has evidently had an impact. They now respond relatively quickly, apologize when delayed and make no comment except, "Thank You", "Enjoy the Fair" or "Have a nice day." This will be the third year since the changes...we'll see how it goes.
What I have learned:
- Get there early if possible and park at the Grand Ave or MLK parking; faster service and better clientel overall (Sometimes they don't check or don't care).
Have the family go ahead and meet at a predesignated place or contact on cell phone. There is no reason for them to have to wait.
I carry a pocket notepad and record the names, ETA's and general behaviour of the responding supervisor. This helps if you need to write later and may curb the attitude if one is forthcoming.
Be courteous, these guys are the messenger not the policy maker. For present the procedure is a cost of admission. Politeness can make it relatively painless.
Oh yeah, glad to be on the list.
Kyle
