Police have arrested 48 people at over 19 illegal Carnival parties occurring over the weekend in northern Trinidad.
Police told the Guardian Media that officers were very busy from Friday night to the wee hours of Monday morning as they attempted to disperse revellers who chose to congregate in their respective communities for planned and impromptu unofficial J’ouvert celebrations.
Some of the areas in which these celebrations took place included Arima where there were two events, Maloney with two as well, Bagatelle in Diego Martin, Sea Lots, Beetham, Edinburgh 500 with two events, Enterprise, Curepe with a couple, North Coast Road, Port-of-Spain and San Fernando with three events, totalling 19 locations.
Guardian Media was told that in St Paul’s Street in East Port-of-Spain police officers allegedly seized music equipment and drinks by the cases in an attempt to disperse the party-goers.
An unidentified woman is arrested by police officers for disorderly behavior after the lawmen stopped an illegal J’ouvert celebration at Mendez Trace, Arima, yesterday.
ABRAHAM DIAZ
However, as soon as the officers left the area the party re-commenced and continued way into the hours on Sunday night.
On Saturday night, three people, including a woman, were detained at the same location for alleged unruly behaviour.
In Arima, 45 people were detained on Sunday at 5 am in Peytonville.
The officers then went to Samaroo Village, Arima, where they saw another party in progress. However, people ran away when they saw the police. No one was detained.
In an official response to questions sent to the T&T Police Service (TTPS), the corporate communications unit confirmed that the TTPS received several calls of gatherings throughout the 10 policing divisions.
“Operators at our Emergency Command Centre in St James and Divisional Operational Command Centres dispatched police officers who responded to these reports, and in most instances, the crowds were immediately dispersed before or on arrival of first responders,” the TTPS said.
Party geors are forced to take down a tent after police swooped down on an illegal J’ouvert celebration at 7 Up Road, Maturita Arima, yesterday.
ABRAHAM DIAZ
It also added that Acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob, has instructed continued and sustained patrols be conducted throughout the remainder of the “Taste of Carnival” season.
A reveler leaves with his cooler in hand after police moved in to stop an illegal J’ouvert celebration for the third time at 7 Up Road, Maturita Arima, yesterday.
ABRAHAM DIAZ
Police officers stop a party on Manilla Road, off Upper Belmont Valley, Road, on Sunday.