Violence mars Tobago Fest J’Ouvert celebrations

A senior police officer confirmed that at least 12 persons were arrested on numerous offences ranging from fighting, throwing missiles, to possession of weapons (including a cutlass and a dagger). Several other persons, some of them in an intoxicated state, were also detained by police. According to reports, fighting and bottle-pelting erupted at about 7.30 am in the downtown Scarborough area during the height of yesterday’s J’Ouvert festivities and sent several persons scampering for safety.

Police said the situation got "out of hand" and they had no alternative but to stop the celebrations. The large DJ music trucks were silenced and removed from the streets of Scarborough under police orders. A contingent of officers from the Guard and Emergency unit in Trinidad was on hand to assist the Tobago police in maintaining order, as groups of marauding youngsters seemed intent on doing otherwise.

The roads were littered with broken glass and bottles, causing pedestrians to tread carefully as they tried to enjoy what was left of the event. By mid-morning, the streets were cleared of all the music trucks and a certain amount of peace pervaded Scarborough thereafter.

Some persons expressed the view that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) may consider halting Tobago Fest in light of yesterday’s events. Last Thursday, THA Chief Secretary Orville London expressed certain concerns about Tobago Fest and said he intended to change the focus of the event.