Threats fly in breakfast party case

Residents who objected to the hosting of two popular largest breakfast parties on Carnival Sunday night in Diamond Vale have alleged that  they have been threatened and were now fearful about being singled out. The revelation was made as they hurried out of a three-and-a-half-hour-long special sitting of the Licensing Committee headed by Senior Magistrate Annette Mc Kenzie in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Court on Tuesday.

Fearful of their pictures being taken and names being used, the residents said they had not anticipated how the situation would develop, as they only standing up for their rights. Representatives of the Sunny Side Up Breakfast Party and D'Original Vale Breakfast Party were left disappointed after the magistrate failed to grant the occasional licences which are necessary for them to proceed.

Representatives from each camp will return to court on February 4, led by their attorneys Keith Scotland and Asha Watkins. Granting of the licences was stayed after the Diamond Vale Residents Committee presented a petition signed by over 265 residents objecting to the two events.

The Sunny Side Up Breakfast Party is set to take place at the St Michael's Parish Hall, Wendy Fitzwlliam Boulevard, Diamond Vale on February 10. D’Original Vale Breakfast Party is scheduled for Amethyst Park, Diamond Vale, on the same day. 

In the petition, residents claimed they were denied their right to enjoy life and property, as the parties often drew crowds in excess of 4,000 people, which in turn led to problems such as a traffic gridlock, people urinating on walls, fighting, excessively loud music, indiscriminate parking, people engaging in sexual acts, property being destroyed and the use of obscene language. 

Calling on two residents who were in support of the parties being held, Scotland presented Joan Wood and Roger Vierra, who both testified that D’Original Vale Breakfast Party presented a certain culture and painted a picture of camaraderie and togetherness involving locals and foreigners.

Admitting that residents living along Amethyst Drive would experience “some degree of discomfort,” Scotland appealed to all present to understand that Carnival was a festivity that came once a year and should not be disallowed on the basis of one objection. Addressing the concerns raised by the residents, Scotland argued that at no time during the hearings, had proof been brought before the court to corroborate the “scandalous and untruthful allegations.”

Minutes after the prosecution closed its case, the magistrate announced that she was not prepared to present her evidence yesterday, and it was adjourned to next Monday.