With Carnival season in full swing, spectators and masqueraders are being urged to be vigilant and responsible for their safety. These are just a few safety tips:
•Arrange transportation in advance
•Designate a driver
•Travel in groups
•Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
•Leave expensive jewelry at home
•Don’t accept drinks from strangers
•Agree on a meeting place in case you get separated
Acting Superintendent of Police Andrew John, of the Southern Division, told Guardian Media Ltd that people should refrain from drinking excessively to the extent they are not aware of their surroundings.
He warned against accepting drinks that are unsealed or not prepared in their presence, even when purchasing drinks from bars.
Refraining from wearing flashy jewelry is another way to avoid becoming the target of criminals.
“Depending on the activity you will be attending to particularly the fetes and late-night events that you should wear minimal jewelry and expensive items.”
He also advised that people properly secure their phones and money. With the decriminalisation of marijuana, people may want to smoke at the events, but he warned that smoking in public is an offence and they will be arrested.
However, John said it is not an offence to display marijuana, even an unlit marijuana cigarette, once it is within 30 grammes.
Foreigners coming to this country for the first time or who never experienced Carnival ought to make proper transport arrangements and try to familiarise themselves with the places they would be visiting.
“We advise that they get maps of the areas that they expect to attend, that they familiarize themselves with the transportation that they need to go to and from the events and whoever possible they should be accompanied by a local person who is aware of Carnival activities because it might be something strange to them and they could probably get disoriented and lose their way.”
He said they should hire a driver to take them to and from late-night events, but during the day public transportation should be safe.
If they get separated from their crew and get lost, they should seek assistance from a law enforcement officer rather than ask a stranger for help.
As a safety precaution, drivers should properly secure their vehicles and park them in well-lit areas that are not bushy.
“If they have to park in a remote area they should be careful when they are leaving their vehicles and when they are going back to retrieve their vehicle,” he said.
He also cautioned against purchasing food from vendors who have no food badge and areas that are unsanitary or dusty.
Parents and guardians taking small children to Carnival events were reminded to ensure that children wear a name tag with their name, address and telephone contact and that they are closely monitored at all times.
Ayanna Kalicharan ,from Kalicharan Carnival, said for security and safety reasons masqueraders should stay in their band.
“If you need to come out of the band probably just to speak to a person, your friends and family, try and stay in groups and don’t go to areas by yourself. I would also encourage you to enjoy yourself for Carnival, have your alcohol but still be aware of your surroundings.”
She urged spectators and masqueraders to abide by the law enforcement officers and the band security “especially when the trucks are turning because a lot of people get cramped or squashed in the trucks.”
She said new masqueraders are supposed to be given a “slight orientation” on safety and what is expected of them when they collect their costumes.
Masqueraders playing with her band are given a contact database for the band.
“We have also partnered with the Junction App where the masqueraders can have that app on their phone in the event that they get lost or they are late they could find the band along the way,” she said.