ANYONE failing to abide by the rules as laid out by the police during carnival events will find themselves cooling off in police custody.
All major carnival events have been scheduled for the Sab Playing Field.
“As we approach the peak of the carnival season, it is expected that large crowds will attend the events, especially the parade of the bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. The intention of the police during these activities will be to maintain law and order to ensure the safety of performers, revellers, spectators and the general public at large, and to manage the flow of traffic to ensure compliance with traffic signs and signals,” Desir said.
Desir said measures are in place to avoid any disruption of events. He also reminded police officers that they must ensure their conduct and interaction with the public are guided by the laws related to their job.
“A number of agencies will support the police to ensure the execution of security and traffic management plans. They include the Events Company of St. Lucia, the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), private security, the St. Lucia Fire Service, Ministry of Health and the St. Lucia Red Cross,” Desir said.
He emphasized that the security and traffic management plans the police force will employ as of tonight are designed to deal with any challenges that may arise during an event.
Desir said the police force’s operational policy is based on its stated mission to provide a professional policing service and in partnership with all communities to create a safe environment for citizens. He cautioned the public to be mindful of this.
“The public is hereby advised that they should enjoy themselves to the fullest. However, the police will not tolerate disorderly and violent behaviour. Searches will be conducted at various points to ensure that persons do not have in their possession weapons such as firearms, knives, scissors or any other such item, which is likely to cause personal injury to onlookers,” Desir stressed.
Vendors, he said, are advised to obtain the required licenses or permits to operate, including liquor licenses and permits to play loud music. Intoxicating liquor should not be sold or given to minors, Desir warned. Desir also warned against beverages being sold in breakable bottles as they could be used as weapons.
“If any offence is committed during that period (carnival period), persons will be arrested and detained for committing those offences,” he said. “On behalf of the police force I wish everyone an enjoyable carnival. Enjoy yourself and be responsible in your drinking.”