Acting CoP: Don’t fete with your gun

Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin is warning feters against taking their licensed guns to fetes.

Speaking with Newsday on February 10, Benjamin said feteing with a gun could be dangerous.

“The firearms could fall while you are jumping up and you can lose it very easily.”

He added guns and alcohol don’t mix.

“A person could get intoxicated and, not having that full control, can find themselves using it in an altercation or losing it. That is something we are trying to avoid.”

Benjamin said while people might think a gun afforded them protection, in a crowded venue such as a fete, it could actually make them a target or put their loved ones in danger.

“If you walk with it, you might find yourself becoming a soft target.”

“Also, if you try to shoot somebody in a crowd, the collateral damage will be tremendous and you can put yourself in a precarious position and endanger the lives of others.”

He said anyone with a licensed firearm should try to remain sober even if they were not driving.

“Make sure you are not intoxicated, so when you collect it you have the right mentality to go home to your loved ones.”

Criminal Division head Richard Smith, who is also the gold commander for carnival, said there was a "no-firearm policy" in effect for all events hosted by the National Carnival Commission at the Queens Park Savannah (QPS) and Skinner’s Park.

Benjamin said while promoters would have their own standards, the police are adopting a strict approach to this policy.

Speaking at a police media briefing on February 10, Smith said patrons at NCC events at the QPS can lodge their weapons at the Woodbrook, St Clair and Belmont police stations.

People going to events at Skinner’s Park can leave their gun at the San Fernando or Mon Repos police station.

He said there are provisions at the venue to store the weapons and people who choose to come to the venue with their licensed gun will have it taken away, and returned when they are leaving.

Smith said meetings with stakeholders are under way to ensure Carnival 2025 runs smoothly and is “one of the best carnivals.”

“We have met with the bandleaders for both J’Ouvert as well as the conventional bands and some of the residents in Woodbrook as well as other stakeholders in those areas.

Asked about the possibility of patrols stationed at panyards, Smith said no such request had been made, but he intended to meet with pan sides before the end of the week.

“We cannot send officers to these panyards because it will have to be either an extra-duty or these officers would have to be posted there. Arrangements were not made with them for any extra-duty as it relates to security from police at these locations.

“However, we have our patrols paying attention to all the panyards. This is a mandate to all divisional commanders to send officers to pay attention to these panyards.”

Smith said, after residents complained about excessive noise violations, police also plan pay attention to promoters who violate the terms of the permit for their event.

“I have also told (band leaders) about the decibel level. They are quite aware of it. Even the testing of musical equipment just before J’Ouvert starts, there's a particular area that has been designated for all that type of activities and we hope that they will comply with them.”

He said police would take action if residents reported the noise violations.

“Officers will respond, and at least go and speak with the promoters or even the deejay to have them turn down the music. That's as much as we will do at this stage because we know Carnival is a national festival and we will have loud music all over the country.”