Joseph gives thumbs up to Carnival security

NATIONAL Security Minister Martin Joseph yesterday said all the security arrangements put in place for the Carnival 2005 celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago seemed to have worked well and dismissed certain media reports that alleged otherwise. The minister was out and about early yesterday morning, making checks at all Carnival venues throughout Port-of-Spain to ensure that all security mechanisms were working effectively. Speaking briefly with Newsday outside the Ministry of Health’s Park Street headquarters, Joseph said all of those mechanisms were working well.

He said while there were some incidents of crime over the long Carnival weekend, not all of those incidents were connected to the Carnival celebrations and the media must assess carefully each incident before jumping to any conclusions as this could harm the nation’s image. There was a heavy presence of armed police officers throughout the city, especially at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Sky Watch units were deployed on the Brian Lara Promenade and Victoria Square. The national security helicopter, also took regular flights over the city throughout the day. Also patrolling Port-of-Spain throughout the day, were ambulances from the Emergency Medical Services, TT Red Cross and the St John’s Ambulance Brigade.