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Commissioner of Police, Colin John. (iWN file photo)
Commissioner of Police, Colin John. (iWN file photo)
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Fellow Vincentians and the hundreds of visitors to the beautiful shores of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I bid you greetings.

As we enter the final five days of celebrations of Vincy Mas 2018 — “the hottest Carnival in the Caribbean” — I wish to assure you that I and all of the other members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force main priority right now is you. We will do all within the power that is vested in us to provide a safe and secure environment for all revellers as you partake in and enjoy Vincy Mas.

As Commissioner of Police, I wish to inform you that I have directed the deployment of police officers to patrol the streets of Kingstown, its immediate environs and in communities throughout the country with the sole aim of maintaining law and order as we celebrate our nation’s largest festival.

To this end, it is my hope that as you enjoy yourselves during these celebrations, you will be responsible individuals and respect the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. If you are violated in any way, please report the matter to the police for redress; do not take the law into your own hands and retaliate. Police officers will be out in droves everywhere and will be more than eager to assist you.

To conclude my remarks, it is of paramount importance that I offer some valuable DO’s and Don’ts advice to you for your safety as we move into the final phase of Vincy Mas.

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DO’s

  1. Secure your homes and properties before you leave home
  2. Park your vehicles in lighted areas to avoid break-ins
  3. If you have to walk for any long distance, walk in groups
  4. Be on the lookout for counterfeit currency
  5. Be on the alert for ‘pick-pocketers’
  6. Observe the “no glass bottle policy” that is in effect
  7. Report all suspicious activities to the Police immediately!
  8. Obey the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Don’ts

  1. Do not “overindulge” in use of alcoholic drinks
  2. Do not drink and drive! Please use a designated driver in all cases where you are under the influence of alcohol
  3. Do not leave your children unattended as they can get lost
  4. Do not wear excessive jewellery to attract unnecessary attention to your person
  5. Do not invade Mas Bands to which you are not belong and interrupt the revellers. You will be liable to face prosecution for doing so.

Have a safe and enjoyable Carnival. Thank you.

3 replies on “Commissioner of Police press statement on Carnival celebrations 2018”

  1. C. ben-David says:

    While he offers useful do’s and don’ts, the Commissioner of Police (Acting) — i.e., pretending to be Commissioner only because the PM wants to keep him on a short leash — offers contestable comments:

    1. When the Acting/Pretend (and pretensive) Commissioner mentions the “beautiful shores of St. Vincent and the Grenadines” why does he omit telling us why his officers make no effort to prevent or punish the illegal sand mining of these precious shores.

    2. How can he honestly say that, “If you are violated in any way, please report the matter to the police for redress … Police officers will be out in droves everywhere and will be more than eager to assist you,” when these same police officers habitually suck their teeth when reports are made to them, fail to record signed statements of criminal acts brought to their attention or misplace the statements that they do collect, take months to complete the simplest of investigations, and are habitually rebuked by the court for failing to do their duty.

  2. Probably the safest in years, 2018 Carnival. Seems like the so called bad boys behaving themselves, good sign. Haven’t heard of any violence since the official start of the festival. US media is in the house, Cable Network News, (CNN), welcome, happy to have you. Definitely the HOTTEST CARNIVAL IN THE CARIBBEAN, Vincy Mas we say. Continue to be an effective leader Mr COP, respect.

  3. Rawlston Pompey says:

    MILD MESSAGE

    This ‘…Message’ appears rather ‘…Mild.’

    At festivals, particularly carnival, while revelers are expected
    to enjoy themselves in a peaceful atmosphere, there are
    elements that are often ready to spoil the fun.

    Criminals and gunmen shall harbor no illusions that the Police will not
    take firm and decisive action against those with a propensity for violence.

    Strong messages ought to be sent directly to them. One may
    recall a message sent by the Mighty Sparrow to ‘Trinidad badmen.’

    He said then, ‘…Let them rush into me and play stupid; …Who aint dead,
    badly wounded….’

    Police cannot say that. They have a duty to ‘…protect and serve.’

    A proactive approach is always a sure way in protecting revelers,
    as well as the ‘…innocent and defenceless and law-abiding people.’

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