Police confiscate fireworks

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the Federation’s security forces converged at the corner of Fort and Central Streets late yesterday afternoon and confiscated a number of fireworks from a vender identified as Alexia ‘Jukkah’ Walters.

A couple of days ago, a tent was erected in the said area on the south-western side of the road under which an assortment of fireworks was being sold in preparation for popular local celebration, Guy Fawkes Day, which is observed on November 5.

Information reaching this media house states that sometime after 5:30 p.m., members of the Strike Force pulled up in the area and removed the goods from under the tent, loaded them into their vehicle and left the scene, leaving potential buyers with their monies in their pockets and no fireworks.

SKNVibes understands that shortly after the seizure, Walters left the area in a private vehicle and, as was observed by this media house, the tent was dismantled earlier this morning.

On two occasions within the past few weeks, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force issued advisories that spoke to the imposition of a temporary ban on certain explosives linked to Guy Fawkes.

One of the releases read, “The Police wish to inform the general public that the temporary ban on all explosive fireworks (bombs) especially those associated with Guy Fawkes celebrations remains in effect…The public is advised that the temporary ban on fireworks is limited to the type of fireworks that gives an explosion effect, such as bombs, of all sizes, firecrackers, etc. Starlight, whistling rockets and other non-explosion type fireworks are permitted.”

The police further explained that investigations are still active into two homicides which occurred during “a recent Guy Fawkes season when a male was shot and killed at St. Johnson Avenue and another was shot and killed at Green Tree Housing Project”.

The purpose of the ban, they informed, is to “remove the cover that some persons use to discharge illegal firearms in public places”.

SKNVibes contacted the Police Force’s Public Relations Office, where an individual explained that when the Strike Force officers went to the area, Walters presented them with a list of the items he was selling. 

The officers, however, in an effort to make absolutely sure that items did not include those which are banned, confiscated the items that were taken to the Basseterre Police Station. The items were searched and after it was ascertained that they did not include banned items, they were returned to Walters.

“The items were taken into police custody for inspection and after they were verified as not being part of the banned items, he was given clearance and his items were returned to him.”