Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/6129/-1/140/
|
CARNIVAL IN ANGUILLA TO BE HEAVILY POLICED Persons Misbehaving To Be Removed
|
The carnival activities in Anguilla, which will be held mainly at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre, apart from the street performances, will be heavily policed from the opening ceremony on Thursday, July 31, for the duration of the Summer Festival ending on Sunday, August 10.
|
|
L-R: Supt. Proctor, Sgt. Yearwood and Insp. Sinclair
|
Head of the Police Task Force, Superintendent Rudolph Proctor, told the weekly Wednesday press briefing that the Force was quite happy with the behaviour of the general public during the pre-carnival activities. He hoped that this high level of discipline would continue throughout the festive season when there will be an increased number of visitors and returning Anguillians on the island. “We have seen some maturity on the part of some of our entertainers who understand that they too can send a positive message to the crowds, and this can help,” he said.
“We want to be very clear that no one or two persons will be allowed to interrupt other people in their celebration and enjoyment of carnival,” he warned. “Any person who intends to disturb any of the functions will be extracted from the area and the function will continue. Any act of violence or other misbehaviour will be met by a police response. We will be under no duress in ensuring that our duties at the functions are carried out and that we remove those offending persons to prevent further harm or danger to the general public.”
Inspector Paul Sinclair said there was good feedback from the public in relation to the policing of the pre-carnival events. “There will be a strong police presence which will be maintained throughout the carnival week,” he stated. “My simple message is: those who engage in crime will face the consequences of their action. Anybody who is aware that anyone is planning any level of disorder, please contact us in confidence and rest assured that we will act on that information.”
Both Superintendent Proctor and Inspector Sinclair were pleased to report that there was a continuing and welcome lull in criminal activity on the island. They attributed this to the increase police presence in the various communities and the cooperation of a number of law-abiding persons who were providing the police with the necessary information intelligence about the committing of crimes on the island.
Superintendent Proctor observed that there was an increased in vehicular traffic accidents on the island. “I know this is going to be a very busy time for us going into carnival with many visitors in Anguilla and new drivers,” he continued. “Our officers will be out trying to regulate the traffic in some heavy areas. We want drivers to be considerate to other road users on the streets of Anguilla.”
Proctor took the opportunity to draw the attention of persons tutoring drivers that there were cases where the Learner’s plate was being displayed even when there was no one learning to drive in the vehicles. He cautioned all persons concerned that those plates must be removed when they are obviously unnecessary. He advised all persons applying to the police for driving permits to accompany their application with a photograph.
Weekly Police Report
The police briefing began with the usual crime report and other incidents on the island during the past week. This was given by Detective Sergeant Randolph Yearwood.
Three persons were arrested during the period July 23-30. Two were to prevent a breach of the peace and in the other case the person was arrested for being armed with an offensive weapon.
There were two burglaries at Stoney Ground and Cauls Bottom. A generator was among the stolen items. One attempted burglary occurred at Stoney Ground.
There were eight thefts which occurred at South Hill, Stoney Ground, Blowing Point, Sandy Ground, George Hill, North Valley, West End and St. Maarten. In the latter case, it was reported that the Anguilla Police were investigating an incident in which it was alleged that a pickup was stolen in St. Maarten and brought to Anguilla.
In the other incidents of theft in Anguilla, the stolen items included a motor scooter, a car battery, a power pack (stolen from a 40-horse-power engine), a digital camera (which was later recovered); three pairs of shoes, four rims with tyres, a set of metal scaffoldings, jacks and wood planks.
There was one report of wounding and four cases of criminal damage to vehicles and the front door of a health care facility.
There were 16 traffic accidents, all of a minor nature.