Shooting threat to SEMO District Fair causes concern, fairgoers still feel safe

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Fairgoers and parents James Lee and Jessica McClain both feel comfortable with their families’ safety at the SEMO District Fair. 

They feel safe despite a shooting threat made on social media earlier this week, and they largely contribute that comfortability to the safety precautions in place at the fair. 

“You’re going to run into some evil, and I know our police officers are not going to lay down and let things happen to the children in our community,” Lee said. “They’re here to protect us and serve us, and we can’t run away and hide in our houses because people are going to make threats.” 

“I definitely feel safe,” McClain said. “I mean, coming in they wand you down and they check your pockets, and so I feel pretty safe.” 

Safety precautions include this wanding, cameras, increased patrol, and more. 

McClain shared these words of advice when attending public, open-air events like the fair.

“I say get out and have fun with your family, but use common sense and keep your kids close,” she said.

And on a similar note, McClain said even though she feels safe, she has a heightened sense of awareness these types of events. 

“It just makes me more aware of my surroundings and who’s around and what they’re doing around us,” she said.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department said they have investigated and taken care of the threat made this week.