Public Safety and Carnival

Some 47 years ago the Government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines embarked on a road to a destination unknown at the time. Recognizing the limitations of our Carnival festival amidst limitless possibilities for its expansion, the decision was taken to uncouple our Carnival from the traditional pre-Lenten period to a mid-year June/July season. In addition, the revamped Festival was to be extended to cover a 10-day period.

Who could have foreseen how that bold decision would pay off to the benefit of all involved? Those who participated in both the decision-making at the time, and in some aspect of the organization and administration of the festival over the years, could hardly comprehend what has happened over the almost half a century since then. There have been unforeseen advances and benefits and significant changes, not all necessarily positive.

Overall, however, one can safely say that there have been tremendous economic benefits. Before the first revamped Vincymas, our Carnival was overwhelmingly local with perhaps a few “bacchanalists” from Trinidad visiting to enjoy the festival. The new 10-day festival, no longer overshadowed by its Trinidadian big sister, became an instant hit, growing exponentially. It was able to take advantage of the summer holiday period to attract, at first Vincentians based in North America and, as time evolved, tourists from that region as well as from other Caribbean countries. We can take pride in our pioneering role in the spread of Caribbean Carnivals during the mid-year period.

As we embark on the official programme of activities for 2024 Vincymas which begins this weekend, one aspect will be of great concern to our people, and visitors alike.

It relates to public safety, not just in respect to openly criminal activities like shootings and murder, but also the more prevalent daily situations which impact on personal security. Here we must compliment the initiatives of the police hierarchy in terms of dialogue with the public and advice about what can be done at a personal level to enhance such security. The Police have emphasized that the responsibility does not lie with the police alone and with that we can all agree.

However, there are important areas which are in the realm of the law-enforcement agencies and the Courts which need attention. These concern some everyday aspects which, while very much a nuisance to locals and visitors alike, and widely discussed, do not seem to attract the same level of corrective attention.

Outstanding among these are noise pollution, road safety especially as it relates to public transport, and the pernicious practice of excessive alcohol consumption and its negative impact on human behaviour.

In many respects these are inter-related. In the first place, in spite of concrete legislation governing the levels of noise on public transportation, generated by excessively high music, as far as the general public is concerned, measures taken seem to be ineffective.

Then there is the dangerous practice of young drivers and conductors openly consuming alcoholic drinks, including the local “strong rum” which naturally seem to be impacting on speeding, dangerous driving, foul language and many other anti-social behavioural trends.

Almost daily, there are traffic warnings on radio, not even listened to by the chief offenders, about these offences, but as far as the public is concerned these seem to be having no impact. The practice of imposing fines in the Court seems not to be having any significant effect as a deterrent and we believe that the level of the threat has reached the stage where more drastic action, within the guidelines of the law must be taken against offenders. We cannot have persons charged with the responsibility of public safety for passengers so openly defying the law and endangering the safety, comfort and decency that commuters deserve.