Tobago police expect largest, incident free carnival

The Tobago Carnival 2024, now in its fourth edition, is poised to be the largest yet, with an unprecedented influx of visitors expected to descend on the island this weekend. Senior Superintendent of Police Earl Elie, speaking at a press conference on October 23 at the Scarborough Police Station, emphasized that safety remains the top priority for law enforcement. Elie revealed that approximately 23,000 people are anticipated to arrive via Caribbean Airlines, with additional travelers expected to come by ferry. Despite the surge in attendance, the carnival events have so far been incident-free, and authorities are optimistic this trend will continue. To manage the festivities, over 50 officers from Trinidad will join local police, alongside a significant contingent from the Defence Force, ensuring a robust security presence. Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero highlighted the collaborative efforts of the TT Police Service, the Tobago House of Assembly, and other agencies in implementing a comprehensive operational and security plan. This plan covers all aspects of carnival activities, from pre-carnival events to the main-day parades, with a focus on traffic management, crowd control, and intelligence-led policing. Subero stressed the importance of both enforcement and community engagement, noting that emergency response units and traffic departments are working in unison to ensure minimal disruptions and rapid incident response. The Tobago Carnival promises to be a vibrant celebration, underpinned by meticulous planning and a commitment to public safety.