Police, NCC: All systems in place for Carnival

At a press briefing held by Carnival stakeholders at the National Carnival Commission (NCC) VIP Room at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Tuesday, Richardson said the system was developed in partnership with their stakeholders. These include the NCC and the special interest groups (TUCO, NCBA and Pan Trinbago), fete promoters, the TTDF, Fusion Service, TT Prison Service, traffic wardens, the ODPM and municipal police. He said whether it is Carnival or not, they will be looking beyond that period, hence the reason they made a special effort to meet as many different stakeholders as possible, with focus on land, sea and air.

Richardson said the system created is expected to minimise opportunities to commit crime and obstructive behaviour, minimise traffic congestion, provide high visibility in both Carnival and non Carnival areas, including residences and businesses and to provide responsive service to the public.

NCC chairman Kenny De Silva chairman said one cannot over emphasise the issue of security in Carnival since it is not only limited to the capital city of Port-of-Spain, but consideration also has to be given to the fact that there are 58 regional carnivals happening at the same time and have to be taken care of as well.

He appealed to bandleaders to ensure that their masqueraders do not deface other people’s property and warned that things will be in place for it to be monitored.

De Silva said they have told residents to send, to the NCC, pictures of anyone violating their property.

The NCC will then give the evidence to the police after which the band leader will be charged a fine of $2,000. He said he hoped it would have been more but that is the existing law.

De Silva also announced that this year has seen an increase of junior bands from 80 to 100 and also the seniors from 45 to 62.

He added: “We are coming out to ensure Carnival 2017 will be one of the better carnivals. Carnival is necessary in 2017 for people to breathe.” Avion Mills of the Tourism Development Company said since the launch of the Go Trinbago app earlier this month, there have been 3,500 downloads thus far, with the waterfalls, doubles and Lara Fete among the most searched.

The Ministry of Tourism will have branded kiosks at all ports of entry and on social media, and for visitors who just want to relax, security will be beefed up at the Las Cuevas and Maracas beaches, as well as the Pitch Lake.

Mills stated that there are 35,000 bookings for Carnival and a cruise ship bringing 2,900 passengers and just under 1,000 crew members is also expected for Carnival.

Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, said Carnival is very special this year given the achievement of Calypso Rose who won the prestigious French music award so close to Carnival. “It is a wonderful foreboder of what will happen in Carnival 2017,” she said.

However, she too pleaded with masqueraders: “Do not let your enjoyment be to the detriment of others.”