The New Today July 24th, 2010 Supt. Martin: Police Officers will be firm for Carnival
THE NEW TODAY - July 24th, 2010
The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has unveiled its action plan to deal with any unpleasantness that may occur during the August Festivities. Officer in Charge of Operations at Police Headquarters, Superintendent Edvin Martin, outlined the plans to the media last week Wednesday. Supt. Martin said the overall objective of RGPF for this year’s carnival is to provide an environment that ensures the safety and security of all citizens, visitors and their properties.
Special emphasis will be placed on historic sites and natural attraction sites in an effort to reduce the probability of visitors or returning nationals being faced with any acts of criminality.
Supt. Martin said the plan was put into operation since last month in the form of a number of roving operational units throughout the State with specific emphasis on identifying offensive weapons and illegal drugs. According to the senior police officer, the operations conducted have so far been successful with the confiscation of a number of offensive weapons in various forms. “We have been recovering a number of illegal drugs ... so that these operations have been crucial in preparing the way as we intensify our operations heading into carnival 2010,” he said.
Supt. Martin disclosed that the General Public will see heightened activities in both overt and covert preventative patrols throughout the island. He said that all police divisions have already been mandated to put in place a quick response unit to deal with any issues that may be outside of any carnival activities. One of the major operational strategies of RGPF is having a double security check point.
Someone coming from an outer parish to attend an activity at the National Stadium is likely to encounter a checkpoint upon leaving the area from where he is coming and again within a reasonable distance from the venue. Supt. Martin said the purpose of the double check point is to be able to limit and minimise the probability of prohibited items, offensive weapons, and illegal drugs from getting into the entertainment venues. “These check points will also be backed up with a very comprehensive foot and mobile patrol around the immediate outer perimeter of the venue,” he added.
Upon entry into the venue, patrons can be further searched and screened for prohibited items by the police. In addition, restriction will be placed on licensed firearm holders from entering the venues with their weapons. Supt. Martin announced that anyone appearing at a venue with a licensed firearm will have to present their license to the police who will then hold onto the weapon and have it secured. Alternatively, he said the person can deposit firearm at any police station before proceeding to the venue.
Supt. Martin stressed that for all carnival and related activities in August, only law enforcement personnel will be allowed to travel with firearms. “Certainly we would not be allowing any one other than law enforcement personnel from entering any event with firearms,” he remarked. The senior police officer warned that patrons at shows will be restricted from displaying open flames from aerosol cans. Supt. Martin indicated that measures will be taken to restrict the open flames that are potentially very dangerous.
He is also encouraging artistes who want to use fireworks as part of their presentations to first seek permission from RGPF. “We want to make sure that the fireworks that are going to be used are used consistent with safety standards and that persons do not erect any kind of apparatus that is likely to put the public and patrons in danger,” he said. Measures will also be put in place for those who have their eyes set on burglarizing properties.
Supt. Martin said a patrol programme would be developed to move within the various communities to deny persons who are criminally inclined to engage in housebreaking and stealing. The senior police officer said although the police will offer some measure of flexibility due to the spirit of carnival, they will be firm in executing their functions where and whenever appropriate for the entire season.
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