A Venue Operating Center will be established on the grounds of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) for the specific purpose of managing security and criminal activities and assisting the public.
The center, according to the Superintendent of Police Richmond Valentine, will remain at the Windsor Park Stadium for the three nights of the annual event.
The decision is in keeping with law enforcement’s drive to heighten security during the staging of the 21st Edition of the WCMF.
According to the plan, a senior police officer will be the team leader at the venue operating center which will also include a medical official, a representative from the Fire and Ambulance Services, a representative from the Office of Disaster Management, a communications officer, and a diarist.
Valentine said the venue will be divided into zones.
“So, for the effective management of security, the venue will be divided in zones. A senior police officer with a detail of police officers and private security will be responsible to police each zone,” he said.
Valentine indicated that all zones will be supervised by another senior police officer who will be assigned as ground commander.
He said that the three entry gates of the venue are located on Bath Road which is on the western side of the stadium, while the other entry gates will be on the Riverside end.
“The main entry to the venue is on Bath Road. The VIP entrance and entrance to service providers will be on the Riverside end,” he added.
The entrance for dignitaries and artistes will be on Bath Road close to the Digicel building and there will be two exit gates, one on Bath Road and the other on the Riverside end.
He said patrons must present a valid ticket at the entrance where it will be scanned prior to entry into the venue.
“After the scanning process is complete, they will be subjected to screening after which will be issued an armband,” Valentine explained.
To the service providers, he said who are accredited will proceed to the service entry gate located on the Riverside end where they will be subjected to the service screening prior to entry into the venue.
Valentine warns that persons are not allowed to enter the venue with weapons of any kind.
“Licensed firearm holders will not be allowed entry into the venue with their firearm,” Valentine warned.
Meantime, in order to provide for the safety of patrons and to guide motorists, a traffic plan has been developed which will be in place for the festival.
“To complement our efforts in managing traffic in the city effectively, we are appealing to the general public to carpool as much as possible and consider the use of public transportation,” he said.
A number of signs will be placed in an effort to manage traffic within the city and so no entry signs will be placed at the following locations: on Bath Road at the junction of Cork Street that is, close to the Digicel building, at the intersection of River Street and Bath Road close to the link Bridge, at the intersection of Independence Street and Kennedy Avenue, that’s close to Burton’s [Burton & Company].”
Additionally, there should be no parking along Bath Road, between Cork Street and River Street.
“Provisions will be made for residents in that area. No parking along the link road, Valley Road, Elmshall junction to Bath Road,” he added.
There will also be no parking along Valley Road, (between) Bath Road, that’s close to Hara Agencies to Josephine Gabriel & Company Ltd building.
Valentine warns that vending will not be allowed on Bath Road.
He made it clear that the police will embark on a crime prevention regime which provides for the visible presence of police within the city and environs both day and night throughout the festive season.
Valentine was speaking at the final press conference before the staging of the WCMF which will take place between October 25th to Sunday 27th.
We do want to hear about the creole festival.. the two men that violated the rights of the leader of the opposition we want to hear about.. I hope Lennox linton make an example out of you valentine Carbon valerie and corbette.. wicked set of people.. you all so stupid all rather go down with a Gov than to do your work.. black people.
Valentine two foreign mercenaries were illegally on the premises of the leader of the opposition..Footage showed that one of the mercenaries could have been armed. Linton is a Dominican like you and I..Why a swift and thorough investigation, probably with outside help be launched to bring closure to the matter..Had it been on the premises of a govt Minister you all clowns would have been berserk to get to the bottom of the matter.. That’s the talk of the town this year not WCMF…
Skerrit:
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?
Whey is di money?