Selected off duty officers to get free access
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - OVER the next few days a number of street lights will be placed at various routes to be used by Sugar Mas 42 as a means of insuring the Grand Parade has a high security priority.
Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Sylvester Anthony told this publication that the Committee has ensured that “security is our number one priority for Carnival” due to the unforgettable events of the past, which some citizens still fear to this day.
Anthony informed that the committee has been in constant contact with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to rectify and ensure that the security aspect of Carnival is fully covered by all means necessary.
He said that the committee has also spoken to the St. Kitts Electricity Company to have street lights installed to facilitate the Grand Parade and give the officers on duty a better observance of the event as it unfolds.
“Over the next few weeks you we will see some street lights going up in different parts of Basseterre to kind of light up the place a little more so that the police can have better vision. And we have talked about placing officers in specific areas, especially higher grounds, so that they can look down at the procession,” the Sugar Mas chairman said.
A total of 60 Carnival Marshals will also be deployed to the different bands which will take to the streets on December 20.
As a condition to acquire licence to sell alcoholic beverages come Carnival Day, the Committee Chairman disclosed to SKNVibes that no bottles could be sold to participants, which is another means of security.
Anthony continued: “If we find vendors selling beverages in bottles, we will withdraw their licence to sell and that is how serious we are taking it this year. Last year, for example, when I was there I had to stop some of them.”
The Chairman noted that zero tolerance would be in effect in the selling of any beverage in bottle by vendors.
He added that to facilitate the no selling of beverages in bottles, the committee would be launching “Carnival cups” which is another marketing strategy by the group.
“This year, for the first time, we have selected the Marshals and in collaboration with force we have decided to do a training session with them in time for the upcoming Grand Parade, so that they are aware of what to look for in terms of the security aspect,” Anthony revealed.
