WITH SECURITY CONCERNS paramount this Crop Over season, Acting Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith warns they will be conducting searches at Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment Day. This is part of an overall strategy which also includes improved lighting and the use of technology for policing.
Some online readers welcomed the move, but others questioned the constitutionality of the searches without warrants; the public’s right to refuse and possible profiling of revellers and spectators. Here are their views:
Hunte Omar: I commend the Royal Barbados Police Force for this initiative to protect the lives and safety of persons wishing to enjoy the fun. This is the only way the thugs who just come to cause trouble and endanger the safety of others can be identified and put away. However, the exercise must be properly supervised and respect for the rights of the public upheld.
Troy Sealy: Just like the fingerprinting, wunnuh can object against the searching at Foreday. Steps being placed to make wunnuh safe and wunnuh talking about constitutional rights. When the bad boys shooting wild I hope the bullets respect your constitutional rights as well. Then as usual wunnuh can blame the Government for not taking steps to curb the shooting.
Darius Clark: So, everyone at the start and in the band may be searched. What about those who will be along the Foreday Morning route to Spring Garden? They will be down there knowing that anyone in the jump-up does not have any weapons to retaliate with. Dangerous night ahead unless this is policed very, very heavily at all stages of the route.
Kevin Cave: If them keep up this haphazard method of policing, somebody will retaliate in a terrorist way. Stop treating the poorer classes unfairly; y’all know full well that wanna gine be profiling people. I can’t wait for the day that I see true justice.
Sheldon Cox: So if a person refuses to be searched, will he be arrested?
Violeta Patricia Piggott: Wanna people dat against being searched better stay home, hear.
Ferreira Claude: Revellers? The idiots who fight and carry weapons don’t jump in organised bands.
Karen Browne: Is that constitutional? Don’t make the mistake of making up new rules on the playground.
Nigel Payne: I don’t think that would stop it, but could be a little help, they need to step up their game every year.
Mappofbar: A good and most welcomed proactive approach. This should send a message to those disruptive revellers who want to spoil the fun for many. “Foreday” morning however, is when you should be saying your prayers, reading your verses and planning your day. It is way too early to start mayhem.
FirstLady Alexander: I know that I wouldn’t have no gun on me. The way this country set up right now, if the police search you come Foreday Morning or Kadooment and find a gun on you and carry you in, then good for me. I might’ve been in your line of fire.
