While safety improvements made over the last four years seem to be working, the parents of a teenager killed along Interstate 4 after visiting the fairgrounds on Student Day 2014 say it’s still not as safe as it could be.
Each year the Florida State Fair brings thousands of people happiness, but it’s an anniversary that will forever bring Andrew Joseph Jr. pain.
“This is a four-year wound that will never heal unless we get proper attention and unless we get proper service,” said Joseph.
On Student Day, 2014, several teenagers got out of hand at the fair.
Deputies rounded up 100 kids and ordered them to leave the fairgrounds, in some cases without so much as a phone call to their parents.
Joseph’s 14-year-old son Andrew Joseph III was caught up in the mayhem and told to leave. He tried to run across nearby I-4, but was struck and killed by a vehicle.
“You know, it’s unbelievable. Who goes to the fair and dies?” said Joseph.
Since then, each year, the Josephs have set aside their personal pain to honor their son’s memory by working to improve safety for all kids attending the fair.
“Unfortunately, I have to tell you it’s too late for us. And I don’t want anyone to have to walk in the same footsteps,” said Joseph.
The effort appears to be working.
Policies have changed requiring adult supervision after 6 p.m. Juveniles are no longer removed from the property without notifying parents first. There are now hundreds of cameras and monitors. There is better lighting, and a wider midway with elevated platforms to give deputies and school resource officers a better view of what’s going on.
“Due to the enhanced security measures implemented in 2017, last year the Florida State Fair enjoyed a 40 percent overall reduction in trespass warnings and arrests," the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said. The foundation of the success was a joint policy between all stakeholders to immediately address disruptive behavior.”
“My 14-year-old will be here tomorrow and I am confident he’ll be her having a safe and good time as well,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “When you see something like a 40 percent reduction, we know it’s working.”
The Josephs say that doesn’t mean more shouldn’t be done. They would like to see required adult supervision all day long, not just after 6 p.m.
Andrew Joseph’s father still thinks even though the fairgrounds are state property, it should be a gun free zone on student day. Alcohol and weapons, he says, are a potentially dangerous combination parents need to be aware of.
“You can’t put alcohol, firearms, and children the same environment and feed it to this community as if it’s safe,” said Joseph.
The Josephs plan a vigil and demonstration 5 p.m. Friday at the fairgrounds' main entrance along Highway 301. They are calling upon parents not to send their kids to the fair for student day this year, or any year, until they’ve got it - in their words - 100 percent right.
The Josephs are also planning a memorial service and fundraiser this weekend for a foundation in their son’s name. The money raised helps other families who have also lost their children too soon.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
