A heightened police presence as well as special traffic arrangements will be implemented for an “easy and free” flow of activities for the Cricket Carnival which will be held here this month, the GPF says.
Deputy Commissioner of Police ‘Operations’, Ravindradat Budhram is heading a Guyana Police Force (GPF) Task Force which was established to provide security for all Cricket Carnival events commencing from September 16 to October 2.
The Task Force includes members from the Joint Services and stakeholders such as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Ministry of Health and private security firms.
During an interview on the GPF Facebook page on Thursday night, Budhram detailed the plan and outlined some of the measures which will be put in place.
“I want to make it clear that for the CPL (Carib-bean Premier League) there is a team and for the Cricket Carnival there is also a team which includes the Division Commanders, Fire Service, planning committee from the Ministry of Culture, Health and other agencies that will be pooling resources to ensure that these events are incident free,” Budhram said.
Activities which will be hosted in Guyana throughout this period include a number of Hero CPL cricket matches at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
The security plan, Budhram said includes providing security for the teams who will be arriving here from September 19 and at every event including a number of scheduled concerts.
He explained that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been established for the National Stadium in keeping with International Cricket Council (ICC) rules and regulations.
The first CPL match is to be played here on September 21st. There are two scheduled games on most days; one in the morning followed by the other in the afternoon/ evening.
According to Budhram, the force is aware that one of the challenges they will face is clearing the ground after the first match in preparation for the second. “So we know that there will be some challenges in terms of flushing out after the first game and then restart again on the second aspect,” he said.
As such, he is calling on patrons for their cooperation. “At this time, I want to ensure or I want to be clear that persons or cricket fans coming to the games by now they would have their tickets or their bands and know which stand you are heading to,” Budhram said.
Budhram added that scanning will be done at the north and south entrances inside the Stadium. At the main entrance, a “soft check” will also be done. “We will ensure that we comply with the rules and regulation before entering the ground,” Budhram said.
No prohibited items are allowed into the Stadium and licensed firearm holders are asked to lodge their weapons at any police station before attending the events. “Guns are not allowed. Sharp objects, instruments are not allowed. Persons with licensed firearms will have to lodge their firearms at the station before coming to the ground,” Budhram noted.
Gates will be open two hours before the games. “There will be adequate time to enter the ground,” he said.
To ensure the safety of persons including a high number of foreigners who are expected during this period, Budhram said security will be beefed up in the city as well as the surroundings where the activities are being held.
Booths will also be set up at various points in Georgetown and there will be an increase in both foot and vehicle patrols, Budhram said. “…If there is an incident, we can quickly respond…..We will also have plainclothes police around the environs to ensure whatever intel they can pick up in terms of any activities, so that we can address these issues at an early time,” he explained.
“We will be beefing up our posture not only at the Stadium but elsewhere in communities on the East Bank. Wherever these activities are being held we will ensure that security is at its best,” Budhram added.
In terms of traffic, he said there will be a “special” lane leading to the Stadium. “That will be on the eastern carriageway from the Industrial Site road, starting from there straight to the Stadium. So persons who will be driving to the ground need to join that lane on the eastern carriageway,” he explained.
“Also the eastern carriageway on the western side that would be leading you to the East Bank. Those persons who want to head to Timehri or further on the East Bank…you would have to use that road,” he said.
Budhram is calling on drivers to adhere to the rules. “We are imploring on persons to comply with all the rules by the police. Take instructions especially drivers…We want a free flow of traffic,” he said.
