Hundreds of excited and relieved SEA students descended onto MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, after their exams yesterday, seeking to take advantage of their new-found freedom, snacks and even a movie.But what sounded like an easy and fun way to relax after their big day turned into a pushing and shoving match just to get a movie slip.
The movie lines were indistinguishable as eager parents and guardians pushed their way through the crowds to buy tickets.Marc Mc Kenzie, manager of operations, attempted to dispense some form of crowd control through the use of a bullhorn, as some parents were being discourteous to other customers–pushing to get ahead."We're trying to control the crowd a little bit because they are getting carried away," Mc Kenzie told the T&T Guardian during the melee.
A woman holding her baby was almost knocked to the floor because of the rowdy crowd, Mc Kenzie said.He said it seemed some parents were desperately trying to get ahead of others so they could benefit from the movie complex's SEA promotion."This is an every-year situation," he said.Mc Kenzie said failing to calm the crowd via the bullhorn, MovieTowne security would be called to maintain order, something which had happened before.
"Last year we called out security and locked it down a little bit. If after all the pleas people don't seem to hear, we'll have security stand up in front of each line and usher them," he said.By 2 pm, there was an estimated 600 students, and the number was expected to reach 1,500 by the end of the day.While Mc Kenzie understood that students were excited, he said parents should set a better example.
"Parents want to reward their kids for their hard work and I could understand that full well, but they have to do it in a way where they are setting an example as well," he said.A student from Laventille Girls' Government School said she was "overwhelmed" by the crowds.
