Many people fear change, but consideration should indeed be given to look at the successful model implemented in Tobago Jouvert that could significantly improve safety, planning, and the overall enjoyment of Jouvert in Trinidad.
The success of Tobago’s Jouvert, particularly in terms of safety and organisation, was due to well coordinated policing and carefully planned policies. Trinidad’s Jouvert, which has a history of increased security incidents, could benefit from the following strategic adjustments based on the Tobago model:
1. Separate date for Jouvert
Problem: Holding Jouvert on the same day as Carnival, as is done in Trinidad, stretches police resources and effectively halves their strength, as duty for Jouvert runs from almost midnight to midday, immediately followed by Carnival Monday, hence having to virtually split the TTPS strength in two, and reducing manpower at both events.
Solution: Hosting Jouvert on a separate day from Carnival, as done in Tobago, would allow the full force of law enforcement to focus on Jouvert without needing to manage Carnival activities simultaneously. This doubling of security coverage would not only provide better control but also enhance the overall safety of both Jouvert and Carnival.
2. Starting Jouvert later in the day
Problem: Currently, Trinidad Jouvert begins in the early hours of the morning when it is still dark, creating a perfect opportunity for criminal activities to go unnoticed.
Solution: Starting Jouvert at 6 a.m., as is done in Tobago, would reduce safety risks associated with night-time gatherings and improve law enforcement’s ability to monitor and manage crowds effectively. This timing adjustment would provide a safer environment, decreasing the likelihood of crime, and with Jouvert being a separate day from Carnival, it allows it to continue to as late as midday.
3. Fixed Jouvert route
Problem: Trinidad J’ouvert currently lacks a fixed route, which scatters police resources and makes crowd control and security more challenging, with every Jouvert band simply selecting their route and making it difficult if not impossible for proper police support for masqueraders in those bands.
Solution: Adopting a designated route for Jouvert, as done for Tobago Jouvert, would streamline the flow of participants, allowing law enforcement to focus on a single path. This concentrated security approach, similar to what is used in major carnivals worldwide such as Notting Hill and Brooklyn, increases police visibility and presence, reducing the opportunity for criminal incidents.
I would also expect objections to this recommendation, as many simply fear change. I recall as security minister, I received pushback from Cabinet colleagues when I brought a note to ban glass bottles for the first time for Carnival, with the excuse being: “People like to hold glass bottle when playing mas” as the justification to prevent security-related incidents, as glass bottles were the number one reason for the majority of injuries and incidents during Carnival.
I would expect feedback such as—“This is tradition” and: “I like to start to drink in darkness from 4 a.m. Jouvert”—as the rationale to rubbish these recommendations. However, a successful event is an incident-free event, and we should indeed be willing to make positive changes to ensure greater success.
The National Transformation Alliance (NTA) is committed to meaningful transformation driven by effective solutions. We believe these changes would not only align Trinidad Jouvert with international standards but also demonstrate the State’s commitment to the safety and enjoyment of its people, as crime is the number one concern for citizens.