NGO calls on AG to deal with issue of illegal fireworks

Marshall said he had written to the Attorney General on March 28, 2016, and November 28, 2016, appealing to him to address the issue which brought so much fear and discomfort to animals, the elderly, infirmed and infants.

He said the members of Animals 360 firmly believe the current legislation is not sufficient.

“We acknowledge and commend the actions of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on the night of December 31 , 2016, to quell the disturbances of a lawless society. This behaviour however, is now ingrained in our culture, rampant and difficult to police. It is incumbent upon the Government to act to pass legislation that facilitates safe, responsible and compassionate use of fireworks that can be enforced. In order to hold accountable those that do not comply with the law a means of identifying those that are in compliance as opposed to those that are not is required,” Marshall stated. He said that while the duration of the explosions on Old Year’s Night was not as bad as previous years, the intensity of the explosions were louder and more explosive.

Marshall said police response varied in different areas. He said while in some areas the response was “very good (polite and professional) “, in other areas the police were indifferent while some did not answer their telephones.

He said the extent of the lawlessness was impossible to police with missiles being launched incessantly, with the boom factor seeming more prevalent than the visual factor.

“This in itself is evidence of a disturbing trend amongst our population. We are not aware of any arrests,” he said.

Marshall proposed that there be a review of the legislation relevant to fireworks built around three pillars. These included that end users of fireworks must be licensed to discharge fireworks, and fireworks should only be imported by licensed importers or sold to individuals, corporations and other entities that have a licence to discharge fireworks.

Also, the days, times, events and locations permissible for the discharge of fireworks should be legislated.