PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC –Trinidad and Tobago police preparing for this hectic “Mother of All carnival” celebration that climaxes with the traditional street parade and jump-up on Tuesday will have more than just revelers and gangs to look out for.
Newly appointed Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher, has told the officers, particularly the men, that they belong to a very “professional organization” and, as a result, should not encourage persons gyrating “or taking a wine” on them during the celebrations.
“I want to ask our masquerades, particularly our scantily dressed ladies, to desist from dancing to wine, gyrating on my officers. It is disrespectful and unwelcome,” she told a news conference.
Asked by a reporter what the masquerades should do if the officers consent, she replied, “I believe I lead a very professional organization, and I doubt my officers will agree or even return a wine.
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has been promoting the celebrations, the first to be held following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as the “Mother of All Carnivals” and the police said at least 800 officers in addition to 300 members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force would be on duty.
“We are ready. We have done our homework and are prepared to address the challenges and all the issues we can mitigate in treating Carnival 2023,” said ACP Collis Hazel.
“You can expect various types of security patrols on Carnival days. We will be there, out and about. On foot, mobile, aerial patrols, the sea, bicycles, motorbikes, even drones.”
The police are also warning criminals to “think twice” if they plan to engage in any criminal activity during the celebrations. This weekend, the highlights will be the Calypso Monarch and the Panorama competitions.
The winner of the National Diamond Jubilee Independence Calypso Monarch and this year’s Young King Calypso Monarch, Skatie (Carlos James), is among 11 singers who will challenge the reigning monarch, Terri Lyons, at the Calypso Monarch finals to be held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in the capital on Sunday night with a first prize of TT$800,000 (one TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) inclusive of a vehicle.
The other calypsonians who have advanced to the finals include former monarchs Karene Asche (2011) and Chuck Gordon (2014 and 2015).
The Panorama competition will take place on Saturday night, with 13 steel bands vying for the top spot, including BP Renegades and Desperadoes, which have each won the title 11 times. Renegades have won the preliminary and semi-finals this year and appear favorites to win, playing the tune “Black man feel to party” by the Black Stalin, who died on December 22 last year at 81. Several other sheets of steel
But the International Soca Monarch competition, which had become a staple recently and attracted regional and international singers, will not be held on Friday night as the organizers have said financial difficulties have led to its cancellation this year.
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