BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Aug. 05.2018 – THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is reminding that the maintenance of safety and security is paramount for the 2018 Culturama activities and others in the federation.
With that in mind, police said that they have implemented an operational plan for all major events, including Culturama 44.
They said executing the operation plan for Culturama 44 means increasing patrols, vehicle check points, stop and search exercises and suspending certain duties to allow for more officers to be on the ground during the festivities, among other things.
This announcement comes five days after the shooting death of Evanson Smith-Bartlette of Stewart Williams Drive.
Bartlette was making his way out of his driveway when an unknown gunman fired several shots at him, before making his escape in a silver or white car. Police later confirmed that the young man died at the scene.
In a statement today, police said that to further ensure that they keep the communities safe effectively, combining new technologies - such as the use of closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) - with known traditional community watch programmes, are absolutely necessary.
“As a result, we are making an appeal to the public to help us by reporting suspicious activity or giving information related to a crime to your nearest police station or to a Police Officer that you trust. Together, we can keep the perpetrators of crime either out of our communities or behind bars. We have successfully managed to see a decrease in certain categories of crime and that was as a result of the implementation of the Six-Point Plan of Action to Reduce Crime and Violence in the Federation, the Police Strategic Plan and your help,” police said.
With regards to Culturama activities, police implemented a number of initiatives that they said will be enforced:
1. No weapons of any kind will be permitted at any of the shows - only members of the security forces will be allowed to have their firearms on the grounds at events;
2. All drinks must be served in plastic cups/glasses;
3. Masks will be only permitted to revellers registered to participate in the parade of troops and no masks or items used to cover the face will be permitted after 6 pm;
4. Vehicles that are illegally parked will be ticketed and towed at the expense of the driver or owner;
5. Street jamming with the bands will be allowed up to 8 pm;
6. J’ouvert will end at 12 pm;
7. Persons who consume alcohol at any event are asked to have a designated driver;
8. Bands will not be permitted to play outside of the designated route.
