No blimp for Independence parade

Yesterday, Penny James of the Public Relations Department of the Special Anti-crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) said the newly acquired skyship will be patrolling the skies as part of the anti crime initiative.

The blimp patrols will continue indefinitely. According to James, the new skyship has already conducted test runs and all seem to be fine. Last year, during the Independence Day parade, the second skyship leased by Government for US$100,000 per month was placed on display.

The skyship flew close to the crowd giving members of the public a good look.

The third blimp, for which Government paid $15 million, arrived in the country late last month. It was outfitted with surveillance equipment by officials of Skyship Management, the company from which Government purchased the third blimp.

That company had leased the second blimp to Government. The lease expired in April and the 12-year-old foreign-used red, white and blue blimp was grounded.

A decision was then taken to purchase another blimp and sell the first blimp, the Aeros 40 B, to Skyship Management.

Government has spent more than $50 million for the rental and purchase of three skyships.

The Special Anti-crime Unit has been unable to state how effective the blimps have been in the fight against crime.