Fair’s a leisurely patrol

Avocados aren’t the only green showing up this year at the Orange

County Fair.

Rock music fans strolling into Wednesday night’s concert at the

Pacific Amphitheater were greeted with a line of green, hugging the

chain link fence along the walkway border.

Flashes of green could be spotted throughout the fair, gliding in

and out of crowds and popping up in points high and low.

Orange County sheriff’s deputies, clad in muted forest-green

uniforms, have been a subtle presence since the fair opened more than

three weeks ago.

From the time the gates open until several hours after closing,

the deputies patrol in pairs -- in uniform and in plain clothes --

making sure the fairgrounds are safe.

“We’re here primarily as a deterrent,” said Jon Fleishman, a

reserve sheriff’s deputy.

Whether caring for lost children, dealing with medical emergencies

or patrolling the concerts, deputies work with the fair’s private

security personnel to police the fairgrounds.

Calm and a good time

This year, as in past years, the fair has been calm, without any

major incidents or crime, Fleishman said. That’s because people come

to the fair to have a good time, he said.

A Wednesday walk with Fleishman, Deputy Jeff Puckett and reserve

Deputy Jeremy Jacobson, demonstrated just that -- a docile crowd that

didn’t seem to mind the officers’ presence.

The Pratt family, resting on a bench outside the Pacific

Amphitheatre before the night’s concert began, said seeing the

sheriff’s deputies at the fair gave them a better sense of security.

“I like having them here,” said Tracy Pratt, of Fullerton.

“When you just see them out patrolling, it’s just nice to see that

someone’s out there,” added her husband, Paul.

Stopping to coo at babies in strollers and happily giving

directions to anyone who looks confused, the deputies see themselves

as a smooth link between law enforcement and the community.

“You feel like, if you have a problem, they’re there,” said Wendy

Thomasson, of Yorba Linda. “They’re not bothersome; they’re not

harassing.”

Thomasson, beer in hand, scurried toward the deputies and,

smiling, asked them to pose with her for a picture; they readily

obliged.

While they’re busy keeping an eye out for foul play, deputies

simultaneously field questions on every fair subject matter.

“Where can I smoke?”

“Where are the fried avocados?”

Questions about bathroom locations are no doubt the most

frequently asked, Fleishman said.

An easy requirement

Sheriff’s deputies have provided security at the fair as far back

as he can remember, Fleishman said. Every reserve deputy is required

to work a minimum of two shifts at the fair.

“No other agency can donate the amount of time that we can,”

Fleishman said.

For Puckett, working the fair is a complete contrast of his day

job at the Orange County Jail.

“It’s a welcome change,” Puckett said, citing the fresh air as a

bonus.

In daily patrols, the deputies cover many miles of ground on any

given shift, and they can’t do it without fuel. What better place

than the fair to pick up some eats?

“The power meal for deputies here at the fair is the burrito at

Baja Blues,” Fleishman said.

Though Puckett said he has yet to sample any fair delicacies, both

Jacobson and Fleishman agreed that the funnel cakes, topped with

whipped cream, were the best.

* LAUREN VANE covers public safety and courts. She may be reached

at (714) 966-4618 or by e-mail at lauren.vane@latimes.com.