Vendors and revellers reminded of ‘no bottle’ policy

As the carnival season swings into full gear, the St Vincent Brewery Ltd is reminding vendors and revellers alike to adhere to the ‘no bottle’ policy, which was first implemented four years ago.{{more}}

Hairoun Brand Manager Lamont Medica said as part of the Brewery’s commitment to the policy, drinks will be distributed mostly in cans during the Carnival season.

Last year, the St Vincent Brewery Ltd implemented a canning line operation, which allowed them to distribute some drinks in cans. Medica disclosed that this practice will continue this year, this time with majority of the drinks being canned.

“The Hairoun beer, Guinness, Vita Malt, Heineken, Presidente, they will all be available in cans,” the Hairoun Brand Manager stated.

He further revealed that for the drinks that may not be in cans, the Brewery is already making provision for such.

“If even you send in your order for bottles, we will be sending glasses as well. So you will always have glasses, so make sure you adhere to the ‘no bottle’ policy,” Medica added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) Dennis Ambrose told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday that the partnership between the St Vincent Brewery Ltd and the CDC with regard to the policy has been a good one.

He noted that the Brewery has been working along with the CDC in providing their products to vendors in cans and disposable glasses, which has proven to be somewhat effective with regard to the reduction of bottle incidents.

“They have been working with us over the years and I’m not saying that we’ve had 100% organization, but it has been working and the results speak for itself,” the CDC Chairman stated.

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller told SEARCHLIGHT that he is in full agreement with Ambrose’s comments, that the ‘no bottle’ policy has been effective.

“It has been very, very effective,” the COP said.

Miller disclosed that since the implementation of the policy, there have been minimal and in some cases, no reports of bottle-related incidents to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the hospital during the Carnival season.

“I can speak from the hospital because we normally get calls from the hospital and when persons come to the police stations, we have to send persons to the hospital that had … injuries caused by glass bottle incidents prior to the policy.

“But, since that, there has been a very significant reduction in those incidents,” Miller added.

He also informed that the police are using the implementation of the ‘no bottle’ policy as a crime fighting strategy.

“I can tell you, it is a crime fighting strategy.

“People have a tendency that when they drink liquor and they become intoxicated, they have the tendency to use the bottle as a weapon. We have seen even if there are fights, persons are not resorting to the use of bottles now. Maybe some other instrument, but not the glass bottles.

The COP also said that during last year’s carnival while on his patrol, he visited the Milton Cato Memorial hospital to inquire about such incidents and the response was rather comforting.

“The nurses told me that they have not had any for the period I went there and it has been very, very quiet,” he said.

Apart from the carnival season, Miller stated the police department has always embarked on advising promoters of other events to adopt the ‘no bottle’ policy because of its effectiveness.(AA)