Security with Firearms at Renaissance Faires?

[Count Adolfo]

I think I've only ever been to one or two shows that DIDN'T have armed police on site for security purposes.

[Will Gamwell]

To add to Groomporter's comments on MNRF.

In accordance with Minnesota's gun carry permit laws MNRF has signs posted at the front gate stating that guns are banned from the site. They usually have an armed officer, or two from the local Sheriff's department stationed near one of the gates, but they do not actually patrol the grounds.

The County Sheriff's department always has someone near by.  Mostly they are either directly traffic to and from the Festival.  Or just posted to catch drunk drivers.  On occasion they come in to sweep through the parking lots.  Which last year we had a very funny incident where an intoxicated paytron we were trailing out in the parking lot who decided to run from us and ran (quite literally) into one of the deputy's squad cars.

The fair's own unarmed "Safety Services" crew patrols the site (at most they might have some pepper spray, but I don't remember seeing it). Some are in bright red and yellow livery as plainly visible first aid people carrying red & yellow flags on stout 6-foot wooden poles, and others are in plain clothes. All have radios, and occasionally will call the sheriff's officer to help if they have someone they have trouble dealing with. All the beer and wine booths are also supposed to have radios

Most of us aren't allowed to carry cuffs anymore.  Unless properly trained and licensed to do so.
Correction on the staff.  It is 8-foot tall.  And a good majority of the guys spent the money at Starfire to have the weighted halbred end put on the bottom of their pole.
The Information Booth, and the Ticket Booth also have radios.

Click here for an example of a Safety Services officer in "Colors".
http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u4/vyk1345/Fest%2007/?action=view&current=S7300473.jpg

Cheers,
Sean

[groomporter]

Click here for an example of a Safety Services officer in "Colors".
http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u4/vyk1345/Fest%2007/?action=view&current=S7300473.jpg

Cheers,
Sean

We love our MNRF "SS"!

I don't think I've ever even seen them with pepper spray on their belt.

[Valiss]

Yeah, none of our security carry guns.  Like others have said, it's really more along the lines of "Here are bunch of large Scots with polearms who will escort you out if you need them to."   That kinda things.   I don't think there have been any real issues at faire, but I have seen them drag and toss out a few roudy drunks before.  Again, without guns. I do think the cops stop by a couple of times a weekend and walk around.

The way some of you talk makes your faire sound scarey.  I think I'll aviod the Texas faire, lol!

[Will Gamwell]

We love our MNRF "SS"!

I don't think I've ever even seen them with pepper spray on their belt.

And unless there is a change in upper management, you most likely never will see anything like mace/pepper spray, or ASPs.

Yeah, none of our security carry guns.  Like others have said, it's really more along the lines of "Here are bunch of large Scots with polearms who will escort you out if you need them to."   That kinda things.   I don't think there have been any real issues at faire, but I have seen them drag and toss out a few roudy drunks before.  Again, without guns. I do think the cops stop by a couple of times a weekend and walk around.

The way some of you talk makes your faire sound scarey.  I think I'll aviod the Texas faire, lol!

MNRF is pretty good in regards to what the "Safety Services" crew has to deal with.  Most calls are for medicals.  Next in line would be lost kids/parents.  Then unruly paytron(s) (most likely drunk). 
The main reason for the drunk paytrons being so low on our list is that usually by the time we get a call about them it is because they dropped from heat exhaustion.

SS Officer:  "Sir, what have you had to eat and drink today?"
Paytron:  "<insert alcoholic drink(s)>"
SS Officer:  "Any water today sir?"
Paytron:  "No"
SS Officer:  "Any food today sir?"
Paytron:  "I had half a turkey leg about five hours ago."
....

Sean

[groomporter]

The main reason for the drunk paytrons being so low on our list is that usually by the time we get a call about them it is because they dropped from heat exhaustion.

Yeah back when I was a street character it always seem like drunks were a bigger problem on cool days when they weren't sweating it out as fast as they drink it.

[Will Gamwell]

Ah yes!  Those cold rainy days where you get a call about a ver large musclar man without a shirt and wearing faeiry wings, who happens to be causing a scene in a mud puddle (seated in it in fact) because all of the beer booths closed down.  Then takes his mug, scoops up a glass of mud-water and dumps it over his face, mouth open to the skies.

Sean

[PurpleDragon]

Ah yes!  Those cold rainy days where you get a call about a ver large musclar man without a shirt and wearing faeiry wings, who happens to be causing a scene in a mud puddle (seated in it in fact) because all of the beer booths closed down.  Then takes his mug, scoops up a glass of mud-water and dumps it over his face, mouth open to the skies.

Sean

Oh... you've seen me in my mundane patron days have you?? ~ROFLMAO~

[Lady Amy of York]

Ah yes!  Those cold rainy days where you get a call about a ver large musclar man without a shirt and wearing faeiry wings, who happens to be causing a scene in a mud puddle (seated in it in fact) because all of the beer booths closed down.  Then takes his mug, scoops up a glass of mud-water and dumps it over his face, mouth open to the skies.

Sean

Oh... you've seen me in my mundane patron days have you?? ~ROFLMAO~

ROFL..you mean that was you...gee you get around to alot of the faires don't you !  ROFL !

[PurpleDragon]

ROFL..you mean that was you...gee you get around to alot of the faires don't you !  ROFL !

Well, everything EXCEPT the fairey wings would fit the description of what I did some years go.  Nasty weather, HUGE, HUGE, HUGE mud puddle.... took off sword belt, got a running start.. dove in and slid... most exhilerating it was.