Desoto Sheriff Wants Money for Fair Security

HERNANDO, Miss. - Desoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco says an attorney general's opinion supports his claim that Mid-South Fair organizers owe his office $27,000 for overtime for deputies providing security.

Rasco and Southaven police paid law officers overtime during the fair in October to control traffic and provide a police presence. Southaven is not seeking reimbursement.

But Rasco says it was only fair that a profit-making venture pay for extra protection.

Rasco says the attorney general opinion says "the sheriff is not a security guard company and is not required to provide security to events free of charge."

Jim Rout, general manager of the Mid-South Fair, tells The Commercial Appeal that he had not seen the opinion and could not comment on it.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com