A meeting was summoned this morning by the Commissioner of Police (acting) Clifton Hicken, in the Commissioner’s Conference Room at Force Headquarters, Eve Leary to deal with the breach of security and subsequent discharge of gunshots at the ‘Baderation’ dancehall concert held at the National Park last night.
A statement from the police said that among those present at the meeting were Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ Calvin Brutus, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Ravindradat Budhram; Head of Special Branch Errol Watts, Commander for Regional Division 4 ‘A’ Simon McBean, Head of GPF’s Communications Unit Mark Ramotar; and promoter of the ‘Baderation’ concert Rawle Ferguson from Hits and Jams Entertainment Company.
The security posture (and lack thereof) at the event was discussed and recommendations were made for strict compliance prior to the hosting of any other such events in the future, the statement said.
Some of the things discussed at today’s meeting pertain to:
• Stakeholders approach – with promoters, members of the Fire Service, GRA, and the Police
• Increased Police posture in partnership with the Private Sector
• Prohibition of beverages in bottles (only plastic cups and bottles will be allowed)
• Improved security search – metal detectors and scanners will be employed
Also, one person – a vendor from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was arrested by the Police in the National Park last night with an illegal 9mm firearm with one suspected live 9mm round of ammunition. He is presently in custody, the statement said.
The Police said they are presently following up with the reviewing of CCTV cameras and videos circulating on social media with a view to identifying and arresting persons who discharged rounds in the air at the event in the National Park.
The Guyana Police Force is also appealing to the general public or anyone who might have knowledge or information (maybe phone videos) to share with the police as this will aid investigators in identifying the perpetrator(s) who fired shots at the event that caused chaos and panic.
Investigations are ongoing.
