Fair Commission sues Jackson, seeking JPD presence

The Mississippi State Fair Commission has filed an emergency complaint in Hinds County Chancery Court seeking an injunction to force the Jackson Police Department  to provide security and traffic help outside the fairgrounds during this year's annual Mississippi State Fair, which begins Wednesday.

JPD announced this year it wouldn't provide the service during the fair because of budget cuts. Police Chief Lee Vance said it costs the city about $300,000 in personnel and overtime costs during the annual state fair. JPD will continue with its normal police patrols during the fair.

Friday afternoon, Vance said he was not aware of the request for an injunction. Vance said he has not met with the commission and would not comment on a possible injunction. However, Vance said he feels the department has repeatedly voiced concern over the rising cost of providing the annual security and has been “summarily ignored.” Vance estimated the department takes a hit of $320,000 in security costs for the 10-day event.

“We cannot afford to absorb those costs any longer,” Vance said. “It’s simply a financial decision where we had no other choice. We’ve been saying to the Fair Commission and to the Legislature in recent years that we needed some help in offsetting the costs. It’s strictly a financial situation that we find ourselves in. We don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

The Hinds County Sheriff's Department is responsible for providing security on the fairgrounds during the fair, and that will continue. JPD normally assists with traffic and security outside the fair gates.

A hearing is set for Tuesday in chancery court on the Fair Commission's complaint.

"The city has stated it would only provide one policeman and one car for security outside the the fairgrounds fence unless it is paid to provide a full complement of police security," said the complaint field by attorney John Corlew on behalf of the Fair Commission. "There is no legal basis for the city of Jackson to refuse sufficient police protection and security within the municipal boundaries of the city, particularly with reference to an even that attracts thousands of visitors to the capital city, and event which benefits the municipality's merchants, other businesses and generate significant sales tax revenue for the city."

Mayor Tony Yarber couldn't be reached Friday but has said his office informed fair officials JPD won't help provide security this year unless the city is paid.

"They are aware we won't be sending Jackson police officers to help with security," Yarber said. "We don't have the capacity to do it unless there is some type payment."

The Mississippi State Fair is Wednesday through Oct. 18.

In prior years, the city has provided up to 70 officers to help with security during the state fair.

Jackson asked all departments to cut their budgets back to their 2014 levels. The budget for the new fiscal year, which began Thursday, freezes most hiring, and most city employees will be furloughed one day a month.

The state fair is expected to attract more than 700,000 visitors during the 11-day run.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at (601) 961-7212 or jgates@jackson.gannett.com. Contact Sarah Fowler at sfowler@gannett.com or (601) 961-7303. Follow @jgatesnews and @FowlerSarah on Twitter.