Caribbean360: Low police presence at Trinidad Carnival

Low police presence at Trinidad Carnival
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Chris Hoyos on 24/02/2012 10:21:00
 
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday February 24, 2012 – Crowded streets and too
few police numbers are today being blamed for a number of bottle throwing and
stabbing incidents over the just concluded Carnival season.
Absenteeism by police officers who did not report for duty has been singled out
as the main cause of the reduced numbers during the two-day carnival.
Several bottle throwing and stabbing incidents were reported during the festival
that left several people including a police officer injured. These incidents
included a number of stabbings with the use of knives and broken glass bottles,
some of which were not reported to police.
However, the force’s high command made it clear that despite limited numbers
they were still able to avoid any major incidents during the festival. A total
of 289 people were arrested during the Carnival for several offences including
possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of illegal drugs, driving
under the influence of alcohol and outstanding warrants.
Meanwhile renewed efforts are underway to ban glass bottles from being used
during next year’s Carnival. An attempt was made last year to have the
necessary approvals made in time for this year’s Carnival, but that was not
achieved.
Public information officer, Sergeant Wayne Mystar said the Police Service legal
team was presently working with relevant stakeholders to make the change to ban
the presence of glass bottles from the streets during next year’s festivities.
However, Port-of-Spain Mayor, Louis Lee Sing said he will not be commenting on
the bottle-banning issue until he receives a report on the number of people
injured during the season from glass bottles. Click here to receive free news
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