Multiple fights at South Florida Fair lead to 5 arrests

WEST PALM BEACH  (CBS12) — A fight involving a crowd of about 200 juveniles broke out at the South Florida Fair over the weekend.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies were working to get several fights under control at the fair Saturday night. In all, five were arrested. Three juveniles were arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting without violence along with an adult man accused of the same offenses, officials said.

One other juvenile was charged with resisting with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Additionally, two men claimed they were stabbed that night at the fair. However, the PBSO says they refused to cooperate to provide further information.

All this happened between 9 p.m. and midnight on Saturday. Deputies described the group of hundreds acting “hostile and unruly.” The initial deputies called for extra backup to get the situation under control. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office says deputies fired numerous pepper ball rounds, calling this a “less lethal” option to disperse the crowd.

Last year, dozens of fairgoers were also kicked out over a fight, and four were arrested.

Fair organizers made sure stricter safety policies were in place this year. This includes wristbands for kids between 11 and 17 years old, parent or guardian supervision for anyone under 18 on Friday and Saturday nights after 7 p.m., and a clear-bag policy to make sure nothing that shouldn’t be on fairgrounds gets inside.

CBS12 News also found a TikTok video that’s been shared that specifically mentioned Saturday as a date for violence. The Sheriff’s Office spokesperson was asked Monday morning if they knew about this post before the chaotic scene Saturday and whether it played a factor in their response that night. Those questions will be forwarded to higher command, an official said.