According to police reports, PC Sherwin Cedeno, of La Brea, was driving a black Kia SUV along the south bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway at about 11.45 am when the vehicle crashed into the iron guard rails along the highway, in the vicinity of the Macaulay Flyover in Claxton Bay.

There were three female occupants in the car. They were injured in the accident.

Police said the vehicle was impaled on the iron railing which prevented it from falling several feet onto Hermitage Road.

Cedeno, whose last posting was in the Police K9 Unit, and the three other women were rushed to hospital, where he died. The women are listed in stable condition.

Motorists stopped along the highway to assist in pulling out of the injured occupants from the wreck.

Inspectors Jaikaran and Ramroop and other officers of the Highway Patrol Unit together with Cpl Sookdeo and other officers of the Ste Margaret’s Police Station visited the scene.

It was typical Monday mas with masqueraders wearing whatever they felt so that the audience watched mostly barebacked men in short pants and women in pumpum shorts or bathing suits of all colours and designs cross the stage.

However a few bands made the effort of cohesion and elements of design. These included medium bands K2K Alliance and Partners with its blue and green flowy sleeveless dresses and pants; and Image Nation with their red, white and black wraps and cowboy hats.

As such, it was mostly a day for the individual costumes to shine with elaborate costumes from bands such as K2K, and large band Paparazzi Carnival.

However, just before the Parade of the Bands started at 1.20 pm, traditional mas had its time with only traditional characters crossing the QPS stage. There, patrons were able to experience ole mas including the Fancy Indian, Black Indian, Fireman, Moko Jumbies, Dame Lorraine, Jab Molassie, Minstrel’s and more.

Individual Natalie Duncan portrayed Queen Elizabeth’s Reincarnation as a Dame Lorraine.

Dressed in a Victorian-styled red and silver gown, gold cape, sceptre and crown, she entered the stage with a pantaloon ad stocking- clad escort, but “break way” when Soca started to play.

The band Simply Cultural portrayed Minstrels and sang a bongo song for Holly B (Holly Betaudier).

They sang about his cultural contributions through Paramin’s parang and the show Scouting for Talent saying “the company lost a good one.” The only mishap in the first few hours was when Cherish Griffith Family’s King costume tipped to the side and fell over on its wheels.

Fortunately, the King remained standing and he was assisted by two stage hands and was soon back in action.

Reports indicate that shortly after 6.45 am yesterday, 56-year-old Calvert Dexter James attempted to quell an argument that erupted between two men at the corner of Prince and George street in Port-of-Spain.

James attempted to separate the men when a third man approached him from behind stabbing him several times. The killer then fled the scene.

James was discovered by police officers on patrol who rushed him to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital where he later succumbed to injuries.

Officers of the Homicide Bureau visited the scene and cordened off several parts of the road and conducted a search for the knife-wielding assailant to no avail. The stabbing took place just around the corner from a J’Ouvert party at a bar as revellers seemed unfazed by the recent murder.

Newsday spoke to one of the bar’s patrons who said that he was unaware of the incident until the police arrived at the scene. “I didn’t know anything like that had happened, fights and stabbings are pretty common at this time, so it doesn’t really frighten me.” Also in Port-of- Spain, a 28-year-old man was shot in his right knee during J’Ouvert celebrations early yesterday morning.

Reports indicate that the man was standing at a corner when he heard gunfire nearby.

The man reportedly felt a burning sensation in his right leg and discovered that he was shot in the right knee.

He was later rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he is receiving treatment for wounds.

In an unrelated incident, members of the Northern Division Task Force were on patrol in Tunapuna at around 9 am yesterday morning when they noticed two men acting suspiciously.

The officers attempted to stop the men, who drew pistols and fired at the officers.

The officers returned fire hitting one of the suspects several times about the body. The man was later rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EW MSC), where he is undergoing treatment.

In Sangre Grande, a man was stabbed following a heated argument with revellers during J’Ouvert celebrations. Reports indicate that around 4.30 am, Kern Caballero, was involved in a heated argument with a group of men, before one of the men drew a knife stabbing Caballero in the back, puncturing a lung. He is warded in serious condition at the Mount Hope Hospital.

A total of 15 persons were arrested during police operations throughout the city of Port-of-Spain during J’Ouvert celebrations.

Twelve men were arrested for the possession of a firearm in Woodbrook, in the early hours of yesterday morning. Reports indicate that officers of the Western Division were on patrol in Woodbrook when they carried out a search exercise on a group of men, when they discovered a Glock 19 .9mm pistol.

The 12 men were subsequently detained and were being quizzed by members of the Homicide Bureau up to late yesterday afternoon.

In an unrelated incident, three persons including one woman were arrested for possession of knives and a firearm at City Gate, Port-of-Spain yesterday morning.

Officers of the Northern Division, were reportedly posted at City Gate, shortly after 1 am, where they performed routine searches on persons exiting the terminals, when they made the discoveries. All persons were subsequently detained.

The orchestra’s rendition of the song bore the distinct imprint of arranger Leon “Smooth” Edwards .

There were also fiery effects .

Bars from Calypso Rose’s Fire Fire were featured at the end of the performance in homage to the great doyenne of our indigenous art form. The band scored 286 points, dethroning Desperadoes .

We congratulate All Stars on a champion performance. But it is too easy to take for granted the hard work and dedication required to perform on the national level. Each and every finalist on Saturday was worthy of commendation .

We would like to salute the bands that made a particular effort to be more innovate than usual. Second-placed Despers pleased the crowd with Carlton “Zanda” Alexander’s rendition of Good Morning, which was jazzy yet euphoric. Third placed BP Renegades, however, gave all a run for their money .

Renegades came on stage in pyjamas, before awakening the crowd with a rousing rendition of Good Morning, arranged by Duvone Stewart. It was a memorable integration of theatricality and musical ingenuity which, in truth, was worthy of perhaps more than 280 points .

Looking beyond Panorama 2017, if the pan movement is to move forward, if it is to leave its complacent shores and reach for the stars, then it must embrace more creativity. The judges must also be open to and reward bold acts of play that attempt to breathe new life into the game .

The silver lining is that the finals came off without a major hitch, despite the recent Pan Trinbago turmoil. And the players were allowed to shine. At the end of the day it is their playing that makes the show and preserves the art .

As we said during the height of their confusion, Pan Trinbago must get its act together to truly find ways to nurture and facilitate the growth and development of the steelband, including its players .

It should ensure players are properly remunerated, and paid in a timely manner .

This organisation must become more professional and strategic .

It must encourage innovation, diversification and expansion of the repertoire of the bands, hamstrung year after year by the one-tune concentration for Panorama .

There has to be a deep reconsideration of the Port-of-Spaincentric focus of pan also. This should be a national instrument, not one where practitioners are based mainly in one area .

In the past, attempts have been made to capitalise on pan internationally .

Yet, the patenting of the G-Pan has not turned out to be the game-changer that many would have hoped .

Perhaps the time has come for us to understand that the survival of any art form requires change, innovation and being open to the world. Unfortunately, we seem to treat pan as we treat a child. We are possessive, strict, stern, and smother them, forbidding them from venturing out and experimenting but we become careless when it is time to put them on the road to shine .

Perhaps we need to be more open to international collaborations .

Perhaps more should be done to take pan out to countries where it can trigger fresh ideas and changes. Perhaps it is time to not focus only on the annual Panorama ritual and to push more festivals – like Pan Explosion – throughout the year. It’s time to let this child grow and prosper. Indeed, we must all join together in pushing pan .

The informal education of children takes place in that macro culture which is reflected in the child’s behaviour, mannerism, language etc when in school.

It has been an accepted fact that children learn what they live. At school children cannot be expected to divorce themselves from the social and cultural influences of their upbringing.

Obscene language has become a normal component of conversation in many communities, notwithstanding the presence of children.

It often prevails in the home environment and children are exposed to adults engaging in conversation that is extensively flowered with obscenities from a very tender age.

This is then reflected in their conversations at school, for they have been informally educated into thinking this is the norm. Finding out that this aspect of their enculturation is socially unacceptable, not to mention illegal, comes as a surprise to many.

Compounding the issue is the media. Social media and the entertainment industry are the main vehicles through which this miseducation is reinforced. When all these factors are added together, some children now become innocent victims of a dysfunctional social order that the society has unleashed. The teacher and the school now have the responsibility to undo this ingrained but unacceptable social code. This is no easy feat, especially when parents, guardians, extended family members and neighbours persist with their use of expletives in their everyday vernacular.

The use of obscenities by children was once reserved for the expression of anger at each other, but within recent years this has morphed into normal and casual conversation among peers. It even slips out when children are speaking to teachers, for they have become so accustomed to its use in their casual conversation. Even more alarming is the extent to which the problem exists at the primary level.

Many people may think this issue is trivial, but given the level of moral decay that currently pervades the society, it is vitally important to address this issue. Accepting the use of obscene language as a social norm goes counter to the overall objective of schools producing good decent human beings.

The interactions between teachers and parents often reveal that the child is merely reflecting a conversation standard that is practised at home. These learned behaviours prove quite challenging to alter, given the limitations of the school.

That is why the efforts of leaders and the wider community must do more to lift the standard of social dialogue. Children must be able to broaden their vocabulary by listening to good decent conversation that is not characterised by obscenities in the form of nouns, verbs, adjectives etc.

While some may argue this is not a new social problem, it has certainly grown in magnitude with the advent of social media, with its anonymity and absence of standards for this communication medium.

It is important that adults around children understand that they consciously widen their vocabulary range during casual conversation.

Children can then learn a wider range of words to express themselves.

It will be useful if they can also sanction children for the use of such language, explaining the reason for the sanction.

Vitally important is the fact that parents must model the behaviour, inclusive of speech and interpersonal relations, for children to learn and emulate. The social media exposure should also be restricted especially for the younger impress ionabl e m i n d s .

P a r e n t s owe their children a responsibility to set and maintain high standards of socially acceptable behaviour.

The first two bands, Paparazzi, which led the way with their winning King of Carnival costume, Crypto – Lord of the Galaxy and Queen of Carnival costume, De Nebula – 430, and Lost Tribe were on time to pass the judges stand at South Quay by 11 am. They did not do so until minutes to noon due to TTEC technicians working on sorting out a problem on a utility pole above the judges’ tent.

The other hitches which did not appear to affect anyone, were a 15-minute downpour and a half-an-hour wait for the next set of large and medium bands to pass the judging point. After that the bands that followed moved on without hindrance.

In between the passage of the bands were individuals and small bands, who appeared mainly in traditional costumes, such as minstrels and the midnight robber, to strut their stuff.

Eye catching in Lost Tribe revellers were their messages that called for a return to a peaceful and loving Trinidad and Tobago.

“Love thy neighbour”, “Live in Peace”, and “Love is Great. Don’t mess it up” were just a few of the many messages that greeted the eye.

Of course, revellers could not leave out sending a message or more to US President Donald Trump with some reading, “Trump. Not my President”, “Love Trumps Hate” and “We are all immigrants.” A number of tourists who also joined Lost Tribe displayed their agility on stilts, albeit without the moko jumbie costumes but instead in bikinis and beads.

Large band Yuma with its presentation D’Origins was a show that could best be described as the trooping of the colours of the Caribbean and the Caribbean Diaspora as band members jumped and waved their flags before the judges. The band was arguably the largest to hit downtown Portof- Spain yesterday.

Also taking to the street were Legacy, Ronnie and Caro, Amazon Carnival and Bliss.

The traditional sailors were not to be outdone and they too were “jamming still” as they arrived at South Quay.

Apart from the bands, the young and old spectators, and people from all walks of life who witnessed the parade of the bands, joined in the “jamming still” when the music trucks passed by.

From as early as 4 am, scores of bands transformed the streets of San Fernando were transformed into into a sea of colour, powder, paint and gyrating bodies clad mostly in shorts, t-shirts and body suits.

Of the approximately 32 bands registered to parade across the main judging point at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), yesterday, only two were traditional bands while others were registered as modern bands. There was only one individual ole mas competitor registered.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello acknowledged the decline in ole mas characters and bands. He said this was one of the reasons for shifting the ole mas judging point from Harris Promenade to SAPA.

“What we had done in the past, we left the steel bands and traditional mas for Harris Promenade but as you can see it is a dwindling and dying art form,” Regrello said.

“Young people are not interested in that anymore and we have to change with the times and go with the flow,” he added.

Regrello admitted that mas on the Promenade has been dying for sometime as the number of spectators have dimished over the years.

Leader of “D Blue Boys” ole mas band Val Ramsingh begged spectators not to allow the artform to die.

He said J’Ouvert was not about “short pants and jersey” but about commentary on social and political issues.

The band kicked off its presentation, just after 7 am, with a placard which read- “No prize money for last year…But we playing still.” “D Blue Boys” band, which won the 2016 traditional band of the year title, is yet to receive its prize money.

The band, which was noticeably smaller than previous years, took aim at local politicians including the National Security Minister as one masquerade, with the name tag “Dyllon” affixed to his t-shirt, shot a bow and arrow at spectators under the placard “Dyllon with a new crime plan.” The J’Ouvert celebrations, which was declared open by Carnival convenor Niagum Joseph at just after 4am, witnessed the furious crossing of bands.

Masqueraders pranced across the parade route to the sounds of the Ultimate Rejects’ mega hit “Full Extreme.” Water guns and hoses also seemed to be another feature of the modern J’Ouvert band as masqueraders were doused with clear and coloured water.

Regrello observed that 2017 Carnival celebrations “started off with a bang’ with the passage of the modern bands.

He said the southern city was “alive and J’Ouvert is alive”.

He also congratulated steel band Pan Elders Steel Orchestra which copped the medium band title at the National Panorama Finals., saying they continued to make San Fernando proud with their four consecutive wins.

And as if the underscore their dominance, Pan Elders treated the large crowd of spectators with a stirring rendition of their winning composition “Roti and Talkarie” as they crossed the judging point.

Up to midday yesterday, the winners of the King and Queen competition were yet to be announced.

The start of the Carnival revelry began promptly at 4 am at South Quay, Port-of-Spain.

No one was spared public ridicule as veteran masquerader Rondell Pierre delivered a comical impression of popular talk show host Ian Alleyne, earning him the title of J’Ouvert King.

His presentation of ‘Ian Alleyne Happy Inspector Alexander charged with Assault and Battery’ featured a mannequin dressed as the embattled police inspector, being delivered a jolt with a bag of salt and a car battery.

J’Ouvert Queen Lillian Pierre secured her title after a spirited portrayal of “Dr Deyalsingh removes some of Kamla’s faults”.

Pierre, dressed as Health Minister Dr Terrance Deyalsingh, performed surgery on an effigy which supposedly represented the former Prime Minister, removing ‘items’ such as alcohol and a “plant-like substance”.

The traditional J’Ouvert picong did not end there as Lennox Fox delivered a clever performance as United States President Donald Trump in the portrayal “From Russia with Love.” His offering featured Fox as Trump calling Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on a golden telephone.

Other portrayals for the moning included Herbert Pierre’s “Kamla Selfish” with the former PM depicted as a fish vendor and Barbara Pilgrim’s ‘Presidential Wine’.

Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said that he was generally pleased with this year’s turnout, adding that he was impressed with the creativity, of the masqueraders.

“Although this is my first Carnival as Mayor, I must say that I am pleased with the overall turnout of persons for this year’s J’Ouvert celebrations.

Also, what impressed me the most was the number of young persons I saw at this year’s King and Queen competition.

I’m definitely comfortable knowing that the future of the competition is in good hands.” Asked if he thought that the prize money of $1,500 each to the winning masqueraders was enough, Martinez said that the prize money was suitable for the performances and has actually gone on to enhance the creativity and quality of the portrayals from masqueraders.

“I think that the prize money is appropriate for the competition. At the end of the day, people play mas not for money but for the passion of Carnival.

The performance is in itself reward enough.”

So badly organised was the production, upset patrons began walking out of the Grand Stand during the latter part of the show, which honoured eight of the nation’s cultural icons: masman Peter Minshall; Calypso Rose; cultural pioneer Joyce Wong Sang; ace pan tuner Dr Anthony Williams; late wire bender Stephen Derek, late chutney singer Anand Yankarran and soca stars Machel Montano and Bunji.

In fact, many of the patrons did not even wait to hear the results of the Calypso Monarch competition, the highlight of the event.

One social media user, who viewed the event from Washington, described the show as an “epic failure,” with others lamenting that its blunders were being seen in many destinations around the world.

It was left to soca artiste MX Prime (Edghill Thomas), with his monster hit, We Jammin Still, to save the day.

Omaradath Maraj, Raymond Ramnarine, the Shiv Shakti dancers were not to be outdone with the popular tune Ramsingh Sharma. Ravi B also delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance.

The Icons segment of the show, which came after the performances of the 17 calypsonians began smoothly enough with a presentation by ace pannist Robert Greenidge.

This was followed with a musical interlude by a spiffily-attired Bunji (Ian Alvarez), his wife, Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez and her father SuperBlue (Austin Lyons).

Although the crowd seemed pleased with the performance, the problems began at this juncture as the session appeared to end abruptly, leaving the audience wanting more.

Minshall, an eight-time Band of the Year winner, was the first icon to be honoured. However, he was not present to receive the award but asked that the token instead be given to his adopted sister Sherry-Ann Guy-Coelho, for whom Minshall had created the costume, From The Land of the Hummingbird, in 1974.

Nailah Blackman’s tribute to her late grandfather Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman), Watch Out My Children, provided a sombre, nostalgic air to the event but came after an excrutiatingly lengthy delay for which there was no apology.

At one point, the crowd began clapping in an attempt to get Blackman to the stage.

There also was a lengthy lull before the appearance of Kernal Roberts, son of later calypso icon Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), Roberts, who sang the classic, Sugar Bum, said technical difficulties contributed to his delay.

Minutes later, the audience seemed disappointed when soca star Machel Montano did not respond publicly after being presented with his icon award by Education Minister Anthony Garcia.

“Mic, mic,” some patrons said,” but Montano simply bowed in acknowledgement and walked away.

Next up was Calypso Rose (McArtha Sandy-Lewis), who had to be handed a microphone from one of the event’s hosts to address the crowd.

The award-winning Rose said she was proud to be still in the business after so many decades in the business and vowed to continue in the artform.

“I have opened the door for calypso and the doors have to remain open,” she said to loud applause.

A wheelchair-bound Anthony Williams also responded to his award through a microphone but was barely audible.

Before Stephen Derek’s daughter, Shannon’s appearance to accept her late father’s award, patrons were aghast at the sight of a rewinding tape on the masman’s life and wrote, again the result of a technical glitch.

Accompanied by the Shiv Shakti dancers, in colourful yellow saris, Omardath Maraj and Raymond Ramnarine’s performance of Ramsingh Sharma proved to be one of the segment’s bright spots.

So, too, were the performances of Recruit by Terri Lyons and Skinny Fabulous and Ravi B with Budget.

But it was MX Prime’s presentation of We Jammin Still which had the crowd on its feet for several minutes toward the end of the five and a half hour event.

According to police reports, Leon and Valerie Campbell were standing at the corner of Green Street, Tunapuna, when a car pulled alongside them and fired several shots.

The man was shot in his left shoulder while the woman was shot in the palm of her hand.

The two were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

They are said to be in stable condition. Police arrested three persons in connection with the incident. A firearm was also found in the car.