United States Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms certified K-9, Burt, searches the deck of the Caribbean Princess for explosives with his handler Stephanie yesterday afternoon. Photo: Keith Matthews

Security officers were out in full force yesterday, securing all the venues where events for the Summit of the Americas are expected to be held. Security was at its highest in and around the Hyatt Regency Hotel and on board the Caribbean Princess and Carnival Victory cruise ships during the Summit Business and the Civil Society Forums yesterday. Delegates, security personnel and journalists who attempted to go on board the cruise ships during the last two days had to go through stringent security measures.

Some people were ordered to remove their belts and shoes before going through scanners, which were manned officials of the Port Authority. On the cruise liners, uniformed and plain-clothes police officers filtered through every floor. The officers will be staying in the ships until their departure. International security officials from organisations such as the US FBI, Secret Service and Homeland Security are expected to join later today. Also on patrol were K-9 dogs from the US Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Bureau (ATF), searching for concealed weapons and improvise explosive Devices (IED).

Divers from the T&T Coast Guard were seen searching the waters near the Caribbean Princess for explosives. Public Relations Officer at the T&T Coast Guard Lt Kirk Jean Baptiste said they were ready for the task ahead. “We are going to set up a maritime blockade, protecting the North, East and West coasts including Tobago in aid of the Summit of the Americas,” he said. During a telephone interview yesterday, Jean-Baptiste said, “On going exercises are taking place...When the summit begins there will be no movement (of vessels) in the waters off the Hyatt.”

Jean-Baptiste has confirmed that assets from Barbados, Jamaica, Brazil, Bahamas and the US were in the country and would form part of the naval security for the summit. Round-the-clock patrols have been increased in hot spots such as Laventille, East Port-of-Spain, Beetham, Diego Martin, Dibe and Dundonald Hill in St James and Belmont. A police source said they were paying special attention to certain gang members in the Laventille and Port-of-Spain areas. Heads of security for the Fifth Summit of the Americas met for several hours yesterday with National Security Minister Martin Joseph at the minister’s office in Port-of-Spain.