Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2023

Trinidad carnival revellers defy crime: 'If we unite, we can put up a fight'

Trinidad carnival revellers defy crime: 'If we unite, we can put up a fight'

The annual party is back in Trinidad and Tobago post-Covid but it comes amid rising gang violence.

"Forget the hate and spite, if we unite, we could put up a fight," sings Eunice Peters as she takes to the stage in San Fernando, a city in the southwest of Trinidad.

The lyrics may not be what you would normally expect to hear in a calypso song but this year's celebrations in this carnival-mad twin island nation are happening against a backdrop of spiralling crime.

2022 was the deadliest year in Trinidad and Tobago's history with 605 recorded murders in the country of 1.3m inhabitants, according to police figures.

"Close them borders to stop the inflow of guns, it's time to modernise we education system," Ms Peters belts out from the Skinner Park stage during the semi-finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition.

Criminologist Wendell Wallace blames the proliferation of gangs for the recent crime wave.

"In Trinidad and Tobago, we have that gang problem, where you have that fight for turf. To me that contributes in a large measure to the rising crime, as well as the increases in murders that we are having," he explains.

And - as if he was echoing the lyrics of Ms Peters' calypso song - Dr Wallace argues that Trinidad and Tobago's porous borders are also a factor. This, he says, leads to illegal drugs coming in, followed by guns.

In north Trinidad, in the lush area of Surrey Village, Amrit Samaroo is trying to keep a group of young people busy doing something positive.

Mr Samaroo is the musical arranger for the First Citizens Supernovas Steel Orchestra.

The steelpan ensemble, which has many young players among its ranks, is rehearsing feverishly in the lead-up to the National Panorama competition final.

"It instils values of discipline, hard work, patience and also working towards a common goal," Mr Samaroo says of the benefits of playing in the orchestra.

Cheriese Pierre started playing steelpan when she was 10. Sixteen years on, she still gets a thrill from being in the Supernovas pan yard.

"Being amongst young people motivates me because I see people around my age, and younger, who I could also motivate and work along," she says.

Meanwhile, at the Queens Park Savannah - home of the main carnival parade stage in the capital Port of Spain - gang crime is also getting a mention as Ruth Adams Mendez is showing off her Carnival Queen costume.

"At a time when our communities are in turmoil due to gang warfare and environmental changes, this costume represents a beacon of hope and a call for peace," the narrator says of the costume, which is modelled on the Maraval lily, a flower native to Trinidad.


A costume symbolising the Maraval lily is meant to be a sign of hope

The Savannah is considered the mecca of carnival and it is where the majority of official events - which this year fall on 20 and 21 February - are held.

Tens of thousands of masqueraders, entertainers and spectators are expected to join in the revelry and the rising level of crime is causing major concern.

With 2023 off to a bloody start after police recorded at least 85 homicides as of 17 February, veteran soca music artist Ronnie McIntosh is leaving nothing to chance.

Mr McIntosh and his wife Caroline lead the eponymous Ronnie and Caro mas band. Parades by mas [short for masquerade] bands and their costumed revellers make up the beating heart of carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

But with dancers and spectators expected to pack the area as the celebrations return in full after two years of Covid restrictions, keeping everyone safe has become part of Mr McIntosh's duties.
Most eyes will be on the lavish costumes, but security will also be out in force


He has organised at least 100 officers to guard the more than 1,000 revellers who have registered to join his band this year.

"Who I'm responsible for, which are Ronnie and Caro masqueraders, when they're in my zone, I will make sure that we do our job and make sure we're safe," Mr McIntosh explains.

And it is not just the security guards hired by Mr McIntosh who will be on duty.

Police officials say officers have been called out from holiday leave to help secure carnival activities. Over 300 soldiers will provide additional support.

"We will be there, out and about, on foot, mobile, aerial patrols, on the sea," Assistant Commissioner of Police Collis Hazel said at a news briefing.

Ronnie McIntosh wants to make sure revellers are safe


The CEO for Trinidad Tourism, Carla Cupid, says the police service has been a "valuable partner" in the tourism board's efforts to promote Trinidad as a destination for overseas visitors.

Ms Cupid says visitor numbers have not been affected by the crime wave and are up this year compared to 2020, the last year the carnival was held in full before Covid restrictions kicked in. Some hotels were completely booked up before and during carnival, she said.

"Generally, there are very few crimes against visitors," she says.

Dane Durham, who sells drinks at a seasonal stall at the Savannah, is also keen to tell visitors that a few bad apples should not be allowed to put a dampener on carnival.

"The crime has nothing to do with Trinidad and Tobago, it has to do with the individuals who commit the crimes," he argues. "Trinidad is a beautiful place, we love people, we love to entertain."


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
Close
0:00
0:00
AOC explains why she opposes banning TikTok
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
UK: Humza Yousaf replaces Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister in Scotland
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
In a dramatic U-turn against His Government: Judicial Reform Legislation Must Be Halted, Says Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
BVI Freedom Song
Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, died at 94
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
Powell: Silicon Valley Bank was an 'outlier'
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
Hello Dolly
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
Yes He Can
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Unforgettable
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Touch The Hem Of His Garment
Nashville police officer, and a female driver shooting one another
The Lord's Prayer
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
THE GOD MOVEMENT...BEAUTIFUL BVI
Mexican President Claims Mexico is Safer than the U.S.
Siyahamba
A brief banking situation report
Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilaton, Oh, Happy Day
Lady bites police officer and gets instantly reaction
Ramblin' Rose
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Protoje - Who Knows ft. Chronixx
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
Pressure - Virgin Islands Nice
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Phil Wickham - House Of The Lord
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
The Lion King Circle of Life by LEBO M. — LIVE at the HAVASI Symphonic
BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has apologized, but not resigned, yet, following the disruption of sports programmes over the weekend
Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In
A Mississippian man, who was once considered a “ticking time bomb,” has lost a whopping 165 kilograms! What motivated this incredible transformation?
Kanye West Sunday Service - hallelujah, salvation, and glory
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
Jonathan Nelson - I Believe (Island Medley
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
From The Virgin Islands Sqad Up
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
Common, John Legend - Glory
Fitness scam
Anthony Evans vs. Jesse Campbell - If I Ain't Got You
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
Barcelona is feeling the heat as they face corruption charges over payments to former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira
BVI Freedom Song
Senator Tom Cotton: If the Mexican Government Won’t Stop Cartels from Killing Americans, Then U.S. Government Should
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
Banking regulators close SVB, the largest bank failure since the financial crisis
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
The unelected UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an immigrant himself, defends new controversial crackdown on illegal migration
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
Old clip of Bill Gates saying Ukraine is a big, fat, corrupt sinkhole is going viral
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Man’s penis amputated by mistake after he’s wrongly diagnosed with a tumour
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
In a major snub to Downing Street's Silicon Valley dreams, UK chip giant Arm has dealt a serious blow to the government's economic strategy by opting for a US listing
Hello Dolly
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
JP Morgan Becomes First Bank to Predict UK Will Avoid Recession
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
How do stolen goods end up on Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace?
Yes He Can
It's the question on everyone's lips: could a four-day workweek be the future of employment?
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
×