Top cop hails ‘safest Kadooment Day’

Crop Over reached its climax on Kadooment Day – the first under Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce’s watch – free of violence or major incidents, prompting her to praise the public for its behaviour and coordination among the security forces.

Commending both residents and visitors, she also attributed a safe and orderly Grand Kadooment to extensive preparation, high-visibility policing, and inter-agency collaboration.

​”I am pleased to share that Grand Kadooment was concluded without any major incidents,” Commissioner Boyce said. “As Commissioner of Police, I am proud of the way Barbadians and visitors conducted themselves throughout the day, and of the strong partnership among our security services that helped keep everyone safe.”

​The law enforcement strategy relied on a multi-layered approach combining boots on the ground with modern surveillance technology. Police officers were deployed in large numbers along the entire parade route to maintain high visibility and deter incidents.

Simultaneously, command centres utilised extensive CCTV networks and drone surveillance to maintain real-time situational awareness. These aerial and digital measures were backed by strategic checkpoint screenings, dedicated traffic management, and rapid-response units positioned to resolve potential disruptions immediately.

​Boyce emphasised a joint forces approach in maintaining public order, particularly in high-density zones along the parade path.

​”From the outset, my team and I placed great emphasis on careful planning, high visibility policing, traffic management, closed-circuit television and drone monitoring, checkpoint screening, rapid response capacity, medical support, and close coordination with the Barbados Defence Force.”

BDF soldiers worked “side by side with the Barbados Police Service to strengthen our ability to respond swiftly and maintain public order across the route”, with special focus given to traditional bottleneck areas prone to crowd pressure, she said.

​Managing the festival’s grand finale from the Princess Alice Highway to the Mighty Grynner Highway required tight access control, which affected area traffic and movement. The commissioner expressed gratitude to residents and business owners along the route who navigated pass-system restrictions and security checkpoints.

​”Our officers, together with our partners from the Barbados Defence Force and the emergency services, worked closely with residents and businesses along the route to manage authorised movement… and to minimise inconvenience wherever possible,” Boyce said. “I know this requires patience and understanding, and I am grateful to all who cooperated with these arrangements.”

Commissioner Boyce suggested this collaborative operational model used for Grand Kadooment serves as a workable framework for day-to-day national security.

​”What we achieved today is a reminder of what is possible when national celebration is marked by public discipline, respect for lawful directions, and genuine partnership,” Boyce said. “I see clearly that this kind of partnership is essential to keeping Barbados safe, not only during major events, but every day.”

​She hailed revelers, band leaders, vendors, emergency personnel, and frontline officers for their dedication to making Grand Kadooment both secure and memorable. (LG)