‘Get it together!’

Police promise to help secure events only if promoters do their part By Emmanuel Joseph Promoters of mass events will not get any security assistance from the Barbados Police Service (BPS) in the future if their perimeter fences and other security measures are not up to scratch. They were put on notice on Thursday by Commissioner of Police (COP) Richard Boyce when he addressed a news briefing at the service’s headquarters in The City on the crime situation in the country. “We will restore order, not only to State-sponsored events but for the private promoter events, we will also assist. But I must say that stakeholders in terms of promoters have a big role to play in managing and putting on their own events. Their main thing, just like us, should be the safety and security of patrons who attend their events,” he advised. “And no willy-nilly fence . . . should serve the purpose of securing events in Barbados. It cannot work. And we in the police service will not associate ourselves with such slight, inefficient and scrappy security measures. It cannot work. It is unfair to members of the public who spend their money to attend these events; simple breaches…a child climbing a fence and the fence falls over. It cannot work.” The police chief was speaking on the heels of the Powda wet fete earlier this month which was marred when over 100 people broke down the perimeter fence and rushed the event at Vaucluse Raceway, St Thomas even though there were several private security officers stationed at various points, some with security dogs, as well as a police presence. There were fights and a fire at a vendor’s stall after the party invaders got inside. Commissioner Boyce told the promoters the number one consideration when planning for such events must be the safety and security of patrons. “And the safety of patrons should not be compromised in [any] form of fashion. It is a solemn undertaking that must be honoured,” he said. Boyce advised that perimeter fences must be more solid and secure and that the durability and integrity must be able to provide working security for police or private security “a second chance to get ahead of any person who wants to cause havoc at these events”. He was adamant there would be “no pulling back” where that is concerned. “So we in the Police Service know what has to be done. That is, the risk factors have to be looked at and all measures will be taken to reduce any harm or injury to anyone. That could only happen when all the dots are connected to create that type of environment. Yes, we will support persons, but persons must know upfront that they too have a responsibility that says to them, ‘I have to make sure that this place is safe’,” Boyce contended. “So I hope that persons understand our position in the Barbados Police Service where that is concerned.” He also warned partygoers not to leave home with weapons or try to enter fetes or other Crop Over events without paying. “If you are intent on leaving home and getting into mischief at these events, my advice is to remain at home. The Barbados Police Service and other security persons will be on the alert and will take the necessary measures to address these issues and take the necessary action. That is how we see things,” Boyce said. “There will be a no-nonsense approach to persons who infringe any aspect of the law, whether it be [breaching] the Trespass Act or whatever the law is. We will take firm action in addressing those persons who break the law.” Boyce also urged persons with illegal weapons to either get rid of them or turn them in to police. “But weapons will be a no-no on the streets or at locations of events. We have measures in place to address these situations. We will utilise all of our resources when it comes to these issues. So whether it is the manpower, whether it is the technology, whatever the inputs, we will use them to our maximum to make sure we are safe, [and] the environment is sterile in that people can relax, enjoy themselves and not worry about untoward things occurring,” he assured. emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb]]>