Scratch bombs illegal — Match crackers hot seller

A heavy police presence on the streets of Port-of-Spain yesterday may have accounted for the absence of persons selling the illegal explosive, scratch bombs, which are usually prevalent around Divali, Christmas and for the New Year. Instead, stores have opted to sell the less potent and legal match crackers, a smaller version of the scratch bombs, which are sold for at least $10 per box. Fireworks were also noticeably absent on Charlotte and Henry Streets, which in previous years had made a brisk trade in the sale of these items. S Chang Variety Store on Charlotte Street  did set up a stall on the street for the sale of fireworks, which were supplied by Fire One Fireworks. When Newsday visited the stall, it was doing brisk business with customers, mainly young children and teenagers, seeking firecrackers, fun snaps and fireworks for the holiday weekend. A store manager at S Chang revealed that they had decided to carry the match crackers because they were quite aware that the sale of scratch bombs was illegal.

Michael McIntyre, vice president of the Fire Services Association Second Division, could not say exactly how these scratch bombs were entering the country. He explained that the National Fire Prevention Association of America (NFPA) had categorised items such as fireworks and ultimately scratch bombs as Class C explosives. Persons wishing to import fireworks into the country, he continued, are required by law to apply to the Ministry of National Security for a licence. The role of the Fire Services Association, McIntyre noted, was limited to overseeing the transportation and storage of these items and making recommendations to the Ministry of National Security. Lamenting that their role was very limited, he stressed the need for the association, specifically the Chief Fire Officer, to be given a greater role in regulating the use of these explosives. McIntyre also called on Government to revisit the Explosives Act of 1948 to create a clause whereby the importation of illegal items will be controlled.  The Act does not prohibit the use of scratch bombs which makes it difficult to charge persons found in possession of the explosives. Concern over the usage of these scratch bombs was also expressed by chairman of the TT Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA), Sakal Seemungal.

He revealed his frustration over what he referred to as the failure of the authorities to take action against persons using these firecrackers, noise-makers and so on, which he asserted have an extremely adverse effect on animals, specifically dogs. He noted that on numerous occasions he had written to the relevant authorities, but had received no response. However, he said that he was heartened by the news that police had seized scratch bombs from students in South Trinidad who pleaded guilty to possession of the illegal items. According to a representative of the Fire Prevention and Protection Association, such items can cause severe damage to the face area, hands or any other part of the body which is exposed to the explosive. Smaller children are especially at risk. She also noted that older persons or those with heart conditions can suffer attacks if surprised by these noise-makers and explosives.