Promoters: All systems in place for safe fetes

The majority of fete promoters have embarked on tighter security measures in order to curb incidences of violence and crime this Carnival.

Manager of Pier 1, Colin Mitchell, said all measures are in place to ensure safety for future Carnival fetes. Beside the deployment of uniformed police officers, there will be additional reinforcement in the form of private guards, members of the fire service and plainclothes police officers and also, the use of metal detectors and scanners. Promoter of the Caribbean Wet Fete, Joel Morris, admitted that in times past, there were incidents of violence. Morris told Sunday Newsday that he is ensuring there is very tight security in place this time around.

In addition to the recommended strength of police officers, he is securing private security, plainclothes officers, dogs on the compound (canine control), proper lighting systems, security towers, scanners and metal detectors. He said he is also working closely with the Crime Suppression Unit, undercover detectives and the Guard and Emergency Task Force. In all, the security strength is expected to comprise over 150 officials.

“The nature of human beings is that once they intend to break the law, they will find any means to do so, so even though there is tight security in place, one can never be sure when something might happen again,” he said. Morris said, however, the best fete promoters can do, is to ensure there is 100 percent security so their patrons can feel and be safe. One promoter who agreed with this sentiment was Roy Maharaj, who has been responsible for most of the popular, public parties around Carnival time, including Barbarossa Cooler, Flour Mills, Licensing and PNM fetes.

Maharaj, who boasted that his fetes have been without incident so far, said one of the reasons for his success, is going “all out, to the extreme”,  to ensure tight and efficient security. He felt promoters need to ensure that more than the normal amount of security is added, if they desire an incident-free Carnival fete. Maharaj said he usually gets 60-70 police officers and about 14 dogs for canine patrol, and also several scanners. In all, the cost for security for large fetes can cost up to $20,000 and can increase to as much as $35,000. In an interview last week, Acting Commis-sioner of Police, Trevor Paul appealed to the security officials to do thorough searches, so that no one gets away with undetected weapons of any kind.

Despite the tight security measures, there are some party-goers who are still reluctant to attend the public parties and opt for the all-inclusive fetes. This year saw all-inclusive tickets priced as much as $300-$400. Central Bank, which held its on Friday at a cost of $250, agreed that one of the reasons why people seem to go for the all-inclusive, is because of the issue of security. “Safety has become an issue for party-goers, not just this year but over the past few years and I believe they feel secure in the safety guidelines we ensure for our fetes,” an official said.