There are fears that rival gang members may come out for revenge
during the Carnival.
The Blimp will be hovering over the crowded areas in Port of Spain,
as part of the new technology the police would be using in the fight
against crime.
Reyes said 18 “hot spots” have been identified in Port
of Spain, which the police will pay special attention to on J’Ouvert
morning where large crowds assemble.
The maxi-taxi hub in Port of Spain will be under close watch by
undercover cops, screening passengers for weapons.
The Crime chief said the police would be teaming up with all the
other Protective Services, including private security firms, to
make Carnival, this year, one of the safest festivals.
Patrons attending fetes will be subjected to vigorous searches for
weapons and drugs.
In addition to the foot patrols in Port of Spain, there would be
round-the-clock mobile patrols in several areas including, Laventille
and Morvant.
This is aimed at reducing burglaries while people are away from
their homes attending the celebrations, Reyes revealed.
Piarco International Airport has also been under surveillance since
last week.
The Coast Guard will be patrolling the coastline to track down drug
traffickers who may want to use the Carnival to smuggle drugs and
weapons into the country.
Reyes has issued a warning to criminals: “Don’t come
into town with weapons.”
He said Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul has integrated all the
various police units to work in conjunction with the Inter Agency
Task Force.
Paul had held various meetings over the past two weeks with the
heads of the divisions in the Police Service to put in place tight
security for the Carnival.
On Ash Wednesday hundreds of police officers and soldiers would
be deployed at Manzanilla and Maracas beaches for the annual “Cool
Down” parties.
Police and Licensing officers will set up roadblocks on roads leading
to the two beaches.
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