“Government has left nothing to chance.”
The assurance comes from Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin, who revealed that the government has invested $3.2 million in security for the Carnival season.
Speaking at a media conference on Friday, the Minister confirmed several meetings were held with stakeholders to finalise security arrangements.
“I want to assure the nation this morning and to our visiting neighbours that the government has left nothing to chance. We have invested $3.2 million in security for this season. We have compliance officers on the ground. We have road marshals. We have private security. Once you visit the Savannah, any of the festivals taking place throughout Trinidad and Tobago, they are visible, and you feel that sense of security. And we have zero reported car thefts and incidents thus far.”
Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge noted that the Defence Force is at full strength and ready to intervene whenever necessary.
“The TTDF, we are pleased to announce, they are back up to strength in terms of numbers, and they have been and will be strategically positioned to allow for rapid deployment in partnership with the Inter-Agency Task Force.”
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander emphasised that officers are not there to restrict the revelry, but to protect it.
“The police officers, accompanied by members of the Defence Force, they are not here to stifle the revelry. They must be seen as a protective mechanism designed to provide just that: protection for all.”
Gold Commander for Carnival 2026, Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, assured that the TTPS is fully activated nationwide.
“You will see increased high-visibility patrols in Port of Spain and entertainment corridors, strong police presence at the Queen’s Park Savannah, zero tolerance for firearms and violent behaviour, continued traffic and crowd management, sustained joint inter-agency coordination, proactive policing to deter criminal activity, intelligence-led deployments and tactical teams.”
Minister Benjamin said a major part of the effort is an upgraded camera network across Carnival spaces.
“What we also have done was improve the camera system, so that when I can stand here and say that we have not lost a vehicle in this space is because we have cameras all over this system. We have private security, persons we would have created employment opportunities in the process.”
For those who may not be participating in Carnival festivities, Minister Alexander assured them of their safety across the country, especially in rural communities.
“Though you see police officers on the streets, it doesn’t mean that they have not filtered in persons in communities just in case. So it’s a normal thing. You see those in the streets, remember they call out everyone, and every Division would have already given its Carnival structure.”