Port-of-Spain: Trinidad and Tobago’s police said Wednesday they will display a strong show of force amid Carnival celebrations on Monday and Tuesday, to suppress any attempts by criminals to tarnish the mas.
The twin-island state has already recorded 67 murders in 2011. Criminals have often used the revelry of Carnival to carry out unlawful acts.
Police commissioner Dwayne Gibbs said the police service has drafted a comprehensive plan aimed at minimising opportunities for crime that would include a high visibility of uniformed officers throughout the capital, Port-of-Spain, where most of the celebrations are held.
The commissioner did not give further details but said citizens and visitors can expect “enhanced personal safety” during the two days of the Parade of Bands.
He told reporters at a news breifing at his Port-of-Spain headquarters, that while policing attention will be placed all across the country, heightened activity will be placed in those areas in which criminal activity is most prevalent.
The commissioner says anyone who commits a crime from this weekend, would be detained by police until the end of the Carnival season, next Wednesday.
Although Carnival Monday and Tuesday are not public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago, criminal courts remain closed and the process for accessing bail is not available to anyone detained by the police.
Deputy commissioner Jack Ewatski has been put in charge of the overall operations for Carnival.
