Griffith seeks clarity on covid19 laws for private parties

A still from a video being circulated on social media from a pool party said to have happened on the weekend at the Bayside Towers in Port of Spain.
A still from a video being circulated on social media from a pool party said to have happened on the weekend at the Bayside Towers in Port of Spain.

COMMISSIONER of Police Gary Griffith is seeking clarity from the government on covid19 regulations which clamps down on the congregation of people on private properties.

In a statement on Thursday, Griffith said, “In terms of the regulations in and of themselves, we have sought and received a number of variations of interpretations, and we look forward to the government’s clarity moving forward.”

His statement comes one day after the police was criticised for what appeared to be a change in position as it related to parties at private residences.

On Wednesday, as he responded to questions on a pool party at Bayside Tower, Cocorite, he said private parties on private compounds were allowed once they did not contravene other laws such as noise pollution and other nuisance infractions.

In his statement on Thursday, the commissioner said there were too many incidents where the enforcement of the law came across as uneven to the public causing disquiet.

He said this could be resolved with clarity on the interpretation of the regulations, supported by public awareness campaigns, and simple citizen responsibility.

“Law enforcement officers are being placed in too many situations requiring this type of interpretation and leaving them exposed to the public's ire, undermining morale at the worst possible time,” he said.

Again referring to the debate on private property/spaces and the public health ordinance, Griffith noted it was being “further exacerbated by the underlying issues of perception of bias, as it pertains to class, location, social strata, and race.”

He insisted the law was clear on the guidelines for public spaces and said the police continued to operate within the parameters of the law.

“It is not our role to interpret, correct, adjust or rectify the law – it is our job to enforce it,” he said.

Griffith also said he spoke with every divisional commander who said no one has been charged for breach of covid19 regulations at the private residences.

“Persons were dispersed or given warnings – as was done in the current case of interest. Where a private residence is, however, used for the hosting of a public, ticketed event, this becomes a public space, and the regulation charges will be implemented, and charges laid,” he added.

“This period continues to be extremely challenging for the members of the police service, who have been on the front-line constantly and consistently, and who have been under the most stringent scrutiny with every move they make, in attempting to negotiate ever-changing regulations, whilst attempting to maintain a balance between citizens’ rights and responsibility,” he said.

Griffith said it was not the police’s intent to stop anyone from enjoying their freedoms. He called for the public’s support to follow the regulations, warning that “if anyone takes it upon themselves to host such within their private spaces, the responsibility of the public health fallout will rest squarely upon yours and your guest’s shoulders.”

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