HOBART | A request from the city to provide criminal background checks on employees comes as no surprise to a LaPorte-based carnival owner.

Sterling Crown Carnival owner Robert Johnson said he has no problem accommodating the Hobart Board of Works and providing information on the 25 to 30 employees who will be working at the Lakefront Festival from Aug. 14 to 17.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary," Johnson said.

He said his business, which was started by his father in 1970, holds more carnivals in Illinois than Indiana.

And, starting this year, the state of Illinois requires criminal background checks each time he and his employees do business in a community.

He said some Indiana communities, including Portage, have previously required criminal background checks.

"Indiana doesn't require the background checks yet, but I expect it will in another year or two," he said.

Following a request by Mayor Brian Snedecor, the Board of Works last week asked that Sterling Crown Carnival provide criminal background checks to city officials.

The background checks will be scrutinized by Police Chief Rod Gonzalez, the Board of Works stipulated.

Snedecor said the city has hired Sterling Crown Carnival in past years and there's never been any problems with its employees.

But Snedecor said he doesn't want to take any chances.

"It's a public safety issue because carnival workers come in direct contact with residents from Hobart," Snedecor said.