Apply for event permits early, police advise
Published:Monday | November 18, 2024 | 12:05 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
Superintendent Coleridge Minto, head of the St Elizabeth Police Division, is encouraging event promoters to apply for the necessary permits early because late applications will not be accepted.
Speaking during last Thursday’s St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation (StEMC) monthly meeting, Minto reported that he had authorised 3,020 permits since the year began, with only one being denied.
“As we approach this Yuletide season, I know that we will have an increase with applications for various events, and so we encourage persons to do their applications early,” said Minto.
“The law speaks to 10 clear days for the application to be made for an event and this superintendent is not intending to, in any way, make any adjustments or bend the law,” he asserted.
The superintendent went on to say that there were some party promoters, particularly of events that are much larger, that were doing “exceptionally well” and would often apply for permits months in advance, noting that he currently has on his desk application for events that are taking place in January 2025.
The process in handling these applications, according to Minto, is that they are sent to the parish headquarters and then to the local police stations for an investigation to be conducted.
This investigation includes a visit to the location where the event will take place to make sure there is electricity, that there won’t be any nuisance cause, and that no major public thoroughfare will be blocked.
Additionally, a background check is conducted on both the applicant for the permit and the individuals who will be playing at the event.
According to him, such investigations play a major role in deciding whether the permit is issued.
“And even if the sound is from another parish, another division, we also obtain information prior to. So, we don’t just willy-nilly say we’re not approving, it’s usually based on some criteria that have not been met or a number of other factors,” he said.
He went on to say that if there is violence in the vicinity and there is a fear of retaliation, this will disturb public safety and order and could be a reason to deny the application.
Minto continued that the police have no issue arranging and approving another date or venue once it is safer and the promoter is willing to make such changes.
“I have gotten calls over the last couple of weeks asking if there’s any ban in some areas and as I would’ve indicated to some members ... I have no ban on the parish at this time. We have had some areas where we have had a shooting or a murder, but we have not banned the area,” he added.
According to the law, promoters have up to seven days to appeal to the commissioner of police if a permit is denied, he said.
“So, once they hand in their application early and a decision is taken, we notify them in writing so that they can decide if they appeal it, if they change the location, whatever decision they take,” he said.