Security Forces pleased with public’s behaviour for Carnival

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Right~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CARNIVAL enthusiasts are being applauded by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for their “generally good” behaviour during the Carnival 2008/2009 Carnival Season.

During the season, which began in mid-December, there were approximately 13 activities including four street events.

For all the activities, officers from the Police Force and the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force were out in their numbers with a view to maintaining peace and ensuring that the safety of revellers and onlookers is preserved.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Cromwell Henry, who was also in charge of security for the season, in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes explained that the security forces were out in their numbers and were able to achieve their objectives.

He said the objectives were “to prevent any major outburst of violence and to ensure that revellers were safe during the festivities”.

During the major street activities, J’Ouvert and Last Lap, between 40 and 50 officers, including members of the Police Force’ High Command, were interspersed within the crowd which, according to Henry, served as a deterrent for persons who may have had ill-intentions.

It was because of this that a bottle-throwing incident which took place on J’Ouvert morning (Dec 26) was nipped in the bud and prevented from escalating. 

Also for the major jam sessions, Henry explained that various check points were set up just outside the Basseterre area at which about 200 persons were stopped and searched and 20 were arrested; most for “possession of marijuana” and others for “carrying abroad an offensive weapon” to wit, knives.

The PRO further explained that persons were also arrested in connection with shooting incidents which are being investigated by the police.

Persons attending activities held at Carnival Village were subjected to searches and were required to pass through metal detectors as precautionary measures in the maintenance of safety, law and order.

Inspector Henry said no one was found carrying abroad any offensive weapons on the nights of the shows; and he, on behalf of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, thanked the public for its excellent behaviour during the season.

 “As usual, we want to thank those persons who attended the Carnival shows for their good behaviour. We think the conduct of the patrons of the shows was exceptional. There were no incidents; police didn’t have to intervene in any incident. Persons subjected themselves to the searches and nothing illegal was found on persons searched. There were no incidents of misconduct or misbehaviour at Carnival Village that we are aware of and no arrests were made.  So we therefore want to thank the public for its good behaviour and cooperation with the security forces and wish them all the best for the New Year.”

Despite the generally good behaviour, however, Henry explained that the police were dissatisfied with the number of glass bottles which were seen on the streets. He noted that warnings were issued to vendors to refrain from selling drinks to person in glass bottles and, since these warnings were not heeded, the police are going to have to do what it needs to ensure there would not be a recurrence.

“...That was our greatest security breech and I guess next year we would have to take additional steps to ensure that it does not happen again.”