Police Commissioner says Carnival 2024 was relatively safe

Despite a few isolated incidents, the head of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda expressed satisfaction with the overall safety of the 2024 Carnival.

In an interview with state media, Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney highlighted the strategic and tactical measures implemented by the force to ensure a secure and enjoyable environment for participants and spectators.

He noted that officers were present in significant numbers at nearly every event to maintain safety and security.

“The officers went above and beyond,” Rodney said. “We committed to increased visibility, and we utilized every ounce of energy and resource available to us, which ultimately benefited both the public and our efforts.”

Rodney also addressed some unfortunate incidents that occurred during the Carnival period, all of which are currently under active investigation.

“Everything was going well until the last half-hour of J’ouvert, when we had a stabbing incident. That is under investigation, and we know the person we are looking for,” he explained. “After Last Lap, a life was lost following the official close of the celebrations, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding that matter.”

While noting that there were no major incidents compared to previous years, Rodney expressed concern over the public’s continued carelessness with alcohol and other substances.

He also assured that the force is actively pursuing investigations into the recent incidents and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.