RAPF CARNIVAL DEBRIEF STATEMENT BY Paul Morrison OBE, QPM, MBA, Commissioner of Police.
(The Valley, Anguilla) – The RAPF is pleased to report that the 2019 Anguilla Summer Festival has concluded, and can be described as one that was free of any major incidents or disturbances. Everybody seemed to have enjoyed themselves, and we appreciated the corporation of the public, whose support was instrumental in enabling us to deliver a safe 45th Carnival. Overall, for the period related to Carnival from the 25th July to 11th August there were a total of 9 crimes reported. Of these reported crimes 78 % have been detected. The remainder are still under investigation.
Crime was generally minor in nature although there were two incidents which involved the use of knives. Both of these incidents have been assigned to a detective investigator, and is presently been investigated thoroughly. In total there were an estimated 25k persons attending the carnival events. In that same period 11 arrest were made with 80% being related to the J’ouvert event.
Carnival was made special by those who attended to celebrate and have fun. The policing operation will be debriefed and we are convinced that there are lessons to be learnt as it relates to traffic management in and around the J’ouvert event, and this year sealing off of the area commonly known as “The Strip” at the parade of the troupes for pedestrians only. This was a direct effort to deliver a safer environment for those enjoying the festivities at The Carnival Village, or for those moving between The Carnival Village and The Strip.
The Commissioner of Police expresses thanks to all officers, staff and the wider police family which utilized the members of Anguilla Cadet Corps and young persons on work experience for their hard work and effort towards the overall policing operation for Carnival 2019.
We look forward to constantly improving the way in which we police public safety events and the corporation of the public to ensure these events take place in an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and mutual respect. God bless the Carnival, God Bless the Royal Anguilla Police Force and God Bless Anguilla.