3 weeks ago
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DCP Suzette Martin at a media briefing at Police Administration Building, Port of Spain on November 4. - Photo by Angelo MarcelleDCP Suzette Martin reckoned the police had performed quite successfully on Old Year's night, she told Newsday in an interview on January 2.
She said the police had detected no serious physical injury to any person, nor any fire hazard being posed.
On that night a new law to restrict fireworks usage to just one hour around midnight had taken effect, but with many voices saying the law was not strongly enforced but rather noise-makers were discharging fireworks outside of that period.
Newsday asked if the police were out there promoting the new law or if they had lacked manpower.
Martin replied, "I would say it was a success. The police service the officers, they were outside and they were managing. They responded calmly to any calls that were made.
"When they responded, no one was seen. But I want to say they responded."
She said the question of success of the new law largely depended on the particular location.
"That is a critical factor in the response.
"But we responded and were able to mitigate any serious risk in terms of fire hazard, maybe to manage traffic management. We were able to do those and were able to avoid injury.
"We had no reports of injury."
Asked if the police kept a log of the number of complaints made and responded to, she said preliminary data to pointed to five reports (with more data still coming in.)
"We had five reports, which the police did respond to. As I said before, no one was seen."
She said the five reports to the command centre all stemmed from areas in North Trinidad, and said data was still outstanding from three other areas elsewhere.
Newsday asked about an online report that the police had fined no-one, amid the law imposing a $450 fine for improper discharge of fireworks.
Martin said, "At this time no, we didn't fine anyone.
"No tickets were issued to anyone."
Newsday asked if the police were satisfied with that.
Martin replied, "Well, whenever we get reports we respond and we do investigations and at this time based on our response the reports that came in and officers out on patrol the police did not issue any tickets."
Newsday asked about reports of one police officer allegedly saying officers had got no specific briefings for Old Year's night despite many hopes that the new law would curb noise pollution.
Martin replied, "Our officers were briefed. It is unfortunate that this officer – maybe, I don't know in what capacity he was speaking – but we did brief our officers."All feedback was that senior officers had briefed the front line officers, she related.
Newsday asked what this year's briefing was, compared to past years.
Martin said, "The briefing was like all Old Years, what we expect and how we will manage in terms of reports and in terms of persons (officers) going to different activities and in terms of persons and fireworks.
"Even though we have the law (in) previous years, we still have to manage fire, we still have to manage injuries.
"Now we have the law. We also had officers going through different parts of the law with our officers and highlighting the parts they should focus on, in their duties."
Apart from the fire hazard and injury hazard she had mentioned, did the police have the capacity to also focus on the noise pollution that might be mentally affecting individuals at home?
Martin said, "Well, we respond to all reports, and I would say based on locations where persons are living, we respond."
She said the police have the capacity to get the job done and address issues as they arise.
Newsday asked if citizens didn't both to complain about firework because their many past complains about loud music had been ignored by the police, perhaps in a loss of public confidence.
Martin replied, "I'd say the police service remains committed to ensuring that safety for residents.
"And we do seek the public support to maintain that law and order."
She said if this had happened to someone in the past, that did man it would happen now. "I would appreciate if they still make the report, and we will respond."
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