Montserrat’s police chief is asking anyone who is organising a party or event for the St Patrick’s Festival to inform him so public safety resources can be allocated accordingly.
Speaking on ZJB Radio on 13 February, Commissioner of Police Mark Payne explained that prior planning will help ensure this year’s celebrations run smoothly.
He told host Basil Chambers that a ‘gold group’ has been established to oversee the safety of the community during the festival.
It includes the director general of customs, the chief immigration officer, the chief fire officer, the head of the Montserrat Defence Force and a police superintendent.
“What we are collectively asking is that the public help us – we want St Patrick’s to be as fabulous as it can be,” he said.
“What we really need is as much advanced notification as we can get about any events that are being planned, about any private parties that people might be thinking of hosting.”
He added that it is important for anyone who wants variations to licences or wants to apply for licences to serve alcohol that they apply “sooner rather than later” because they take time to process.
Payne said the group will also be working with organisers to make sure there are not too many events on at the same time, so resources are available to be allocated.
“What we want people to do is enjoy every single day and have a fabulous time,” he said
“But in order to help us deliver that, what we need is for the public to give us as much notice as they can about events that they are planning.”
This year’s St Patrick’s Festival is taking place from 8 to 17 March and will include events such as the St Patrick’s Day jouvert, St Patrick’s Day parade, Heritage Day and Junior Calypso Monarch.
The Royal Montserrat Police Service can be contacted at (664) 491-2555 or (664) 491-2556.
