OOPS, CARNIVAL NOT CRIME FREE

“The press release that was done was done in error...it couldn’t be a crime free Carnival...and it was corrected.” The minister explained, “There were crimes committed during the Carnival in certain areas.

There were different levels of crime committed. It was not a crime free Carnival as such.” Dillon said, “As I alluded before...there were murders...one or two related to Carnival but there were murders throughout TT during this period (that were not related to Carnival.” The minister stressed, “What I must emphasise is that...bearing in mind the volume of people in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Arima...

celebrating Carnival...bearing the amount of people that were there...given the presence of law enforcement...there was some sort of deterrence.” Dillon said, “While it did not eradicate all of the crime, there were deterrents.” He opined, “It could have been worse had it not been for that strong presence of law enforcement.” I

T WAS AN ERROR

Asked how the “crime free” Carnival statement issued by his ministry was released if there was information that crime took place during Carnival, Dillon replied, “There was an error there and it was corrected. You will realise that the correction was done almost soon after.” When a reporter asked whether the statement was revised based on public pressure, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young said, “As you all...members of the media would know...when these things go out...

there are a lot of things that take place immediately after. I don’t think that is a right connotation.” Young added the National Security Ministry was standing by this correction.

In its release on March 1, the ministry said Dillon wished to thank members of the Defence and Protective Services, “for their efforts in making Carnival 2017 crime free.” The release said Dillon noted the high presence and visibility of officers on the streets during this Carnival period contributed to safer festivities and minimized crime.

Dillon extended extended sincere condolences to the family of former soldier Sgt. Dexter James, and to the family of PC Sherwin Cedeno who both passed away after separate incidents on Carnival Monday.

In the unsigned release, Dillon expressed concern over the murder of female citizens. He also expressed condolences to the family of Ambrozina Bernard and her daughter Cathy Ann Bernard, who were found dead inside a bedroom of their two-storey mansion in Siparia on Carnival Monday night.

The first release concluded by saying Dillon gave the assurance his ministry, “will continue to work unceasingly to reduce crime in TT, so as to make this country a safer place for all.” The revised release which was issued yesterday by the ministry said, Dillon thanked the Defence Force and Protective Services for their efforts, “in minimizing incidents of crime during Carnival 2017.” The amended statement said Dillon noted the high presence and visibility of officers on the streets during the Carnival period, “contributed to safer festivities and minimised crime.”

PRAISE FOR COAST GUARD

In a separate statement, the ministry said Dillon praised the Coast Guard on its recent multi-million dollar drug bust in international waters during a joint drug interdiction operation with the United States Coast Guard.

The interception took place on February 16 in international waters north of Paramaribo, off the coast of Suriname and resulted in a find of 4.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of US$125 million ($837,000,000). The ministry said this was one of largest drug busts in the Atlantic since 1999.

The ministry said, “This successful joint operation is demonstrative of the significance of maintaining close international and regional cooperation and coordination in addressing issues related to the transshipment of illegal drugs across borders.” The ministry pledged to continue to engage our international and regional partners on strategic and cooperative initiatives in several areas consistent with efforts to mitigate against cross-border crimes.

Dillon reinforced this position at the post-Cabinet briefing.”That is based to a large extent on our relationship with the United States,” he stated. Dillon reminded reporters, “Some time ago, you would have heard me mention, we have an officer in a strategic position in a facility in the United States.” He explained.

“That has allowed us to benefit from intelligence sharing, from intelligence information.” Apart from narcotics, Dillon said this country continues to share intelligence as well with its international partners about, “arms and ammunition and other areas of security.” In commending officers from the Immigration Department for dealing with the large volume of visitors coming to TT over the Carnival period, Dillon said, “We are looking at the introduction of a kiosk...first dealing with citizens (of TT)...where citizens are allowed on entry...to straight to the kiosk...

fingerprint scan...passport scan...

and your passport picture.” Dillon said this should be implemented between now and the end of the year.

He was confident this kiosk would be operational before Carnival 2018