Slowe flays `monumental’ breakdown in security at `Baderation’ concert
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe has castigated the breakdown in security at Friday’s `Baderation’ concert at the National Park which ended prematurely when gunshots were fired and glass bottles rained down on patrons. No injuries were reported.
In a letter in yesterday’s Sunday Stabroek, Slowe said that when he had been in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) he had been instrumental in devising a protocol for the handling of shows with Jamaican dancehall performers that carried a risk of the firing of guns and the use of chemical agents.
He said had this protocol been followed it could have prevented the chaos at the show featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste, Skeng.
Slowe said that during 2004, he was posted as the Police Commander of ‘A’ Division, which included the capital city.
“At that time, I was aware that a disturbing feature at shows involving Jamaican dancehall artistes was the unlawful and indiscriminate firing of guns and the use of chemical agents (mace) during shows. Those actions caused widespread panic at the venue and (were) capitalised on by criminal elements to rob unsuspecting and vulnerable patrons. There was evidence that suggested that the mayhem was deliberately orchestrated for the purpose of creating panic and robbing patrons”, Slowe said.
He stated that he was given the task of creating a security protocol for those shows and upon implementation incidents of unlawful gunfire and the use of mace at shows became a thing of the past.
After noticing the arrival of Skeng a few days ago he said that he made some enquiries and was told was that there was likely to be gunfire during the performance of a particular song. He said he was further informed that there was likely to be mayhem during the show.
“How prescient those insights were! Weren’t the authorities aware of this? If not, why not? It is very troubling that at a time when the government is seeking to promote tourism and has been hyping the upcoming Caribbean Premier League cricket tournament, the semifinals and final of which are scheduled for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, that security is so lax at an event that a patron can enter the venue with an
illegal firearm (according to the police), and beverages are served to patrons in glass bottles, among other clear security breaches. That can only be described as a case of regression”, he said.
He urged those persons responsible for security to dust off the protocol and have it implemented post haste. He said that one of the main elements of the protocol was that the police commander of the division in which the show was to be held had primacy over all the security-related activities, including the granting of permission for the event.
“However, the current reality is that politicians are involved and determine every major decision in the Guyana Police Force. I am therefore of the view that despite a hurriedly called meeting by the police high command to address the issue, nothing significant will be done without directions from the politicians whose interest may not be fully aligned with the interests of persons responsible for the security of such events”, Slowe stated.
He asked whether the police had met the promoter before the show to establish clear security guidelines.
The police summoned a meeting on Saturday morning in the aftermath of the chaos. The security posture 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.
Among the matters discussed were:
• Prohibition of beverages in bottles (only plastic cups and bottles will be allowed).
• Improved security search – metal detectors and scanners will be employed.