Stakeholders knock Pan Trinbago for Greens fracas

Key stakeholders involved in the security agenda for Panorama have expressed dissatisfaction over Pan Trinbago’s failure to adhere to proper protocol at last Sunday’s semifinals. Prior to the event, Pan Trinbago boasted of a new and improved party on the Greens and stated the event would go off without disturbances. However, the less than anticipated fracas between security officials and patrons at the event caused many to speculate about the relevance of a Panorama fete. Public Relations Officer for Pan Trinbago Trevor Reid was not phased as he maintained, “the Greens was always here.”

Reid referred to the period when the North Stand was deconstructed and the Greens was created. “We moved west of the North Stand so people can enjoy themselves because Carnival is like that, but it is not a disrespect to the instrument,” said Reid. He added, the North Stand tickets allowed patrons to go to the Greens but tickets for the Greens was limited to that area, a fact which patrons knew. This system was not properly monitored according to deputy chief fire officer Kenny Gopaul. The fire service warned about the number of tickets Pan Trinbago proposed to sell, because of security concerns regarding the holding capacity of the Greens, said Gopaul.

Reid insisted that Pan Trinbago had to do things to raise funds and ensure the organisation was running properly. He said the fire service failed to do proper checks of the entire Greens during the event and prematurely concluded that the venue was too crowded. When questioned about the reaction of patrons to the alleged breach of security, Reid said Pan Trinbago did not breach any contract even though it was expressly stated that patrons had a legitimate expectation to access both the Greens and the North Stand. An unapologetic Reid stated, “the patrons acted unlawfully. If you have access and the police say they cannot, they just can’t.”

During the event, Gopaul realised the number of patrons entering the Greens and those going on the stands constituted a possible breach in the figures initially agreed upon. Gopaul ordered the passageway between the North Stand and the Greens to be immediately sealed. Gopaul complained that regardless of what the circumstances were, Pan Trinbago insisted on 7,800 people in the North Stand. Additionally, there was an arrangement for 15,000 people to be accommodated on the Greens. Fire officials observed corporate sponsors erected 21 tents and refreshment trucks with a stage and an engine room. After the initial security meeting, Pan Trinbago kept reducing the capacity since these facilities took up a considerable amount of space. Gopaul said the capacity was reduced to 10,000, yet Pan Trinbago insisted on 15,000.

“We had genuine concerns about this event that was not properly managed. We acted in the best interest of public safety and the police reacted based on their own initiative.” Meanwhile, President of the  Police Welfare Association Sergeant Anand Ramesar who spoke on the issue of police brutality at the event said, “Instructions given by a fire or police official with regards to safety, is overriding. What took place, calls for the promoters and organisers of the event to be blamed. The police officer has a basic duty which is not curtailed by ticket sales of promoters. Pan Trinbago needs to come forward and take responsibility for this and stop blaming the police.”

Edwin Pouchet, Silver Stars arranger,  said the Greens incident did not affect the playing of pans, but he did see the fete as a disrespect to pan. “I think there is a lack of planning as people on the greens did not hear a note the bands played and we are calling this thing Panorama.”