Freedom of mas a cover to get even

THE EDITOR: It is shocking to see how much vandalism occurred in St Clair on Jouvert morning. Almost every wall has been smeared with oil, paint, mud or combinations thereof. The taller walls in front the more prestigious homes got the worst treatment. This is not mere wildness but a wilful act of property damage, resonating with anarchic symbolism. The “freedom” of mas was used as a cover to “get even” with well-to-do property owners. The scale of destruction is too severe to pass this off as simple merriment. These were deliberate acts of property damage, deserving of a UWI thesis.

This happens every year but it has never been this bad. A rough estimate of the property damage to the neighbourhood is $100,000. This is crime, plain and simple. With all the police presence why couldn’t a constable arrest someone with one of the well known property-damage offences. What is the meaning of this failure to prosecute: the laws that protect rich people’s property are mysteriously suspended during carnival? I hope not.
I think that the residents of St Clair should barricade their streets next Carnival. They should also sue the bandleaders for damages.


TIMOTHY RICEMAN
Woodbrook

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"Freedom of mas a cover to get even"

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