Several arrests during Carnival 2017 opening jump-up

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Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson

PHILIPSBURG – On Monday, April 17, the opening jump-up for the 2017 Carnival Season was held.

The parade left the Reward/St. Peters area shortly after 8:00pm destined for the Festival Village located on Soualiga Boulevard. A large number onlookers and revelers came out to attend this event.

Even though the Police Department stressed to the entire community, and particularly the youngsters to conduct themselves in a lawful manner, they unfortunately chose to do otherwise.

Along the route of the jump-up on numerous occasions police had to intervene and even arrest several persons that were involved in fights that had broken out. During one of the fights, a man was ill-treated with a brass knuckle.

Two females had a disagreement, which started in the vicinity of Chippie café and ended up in the Festival Village, and one man was stabbed.

Four young men and two young women were arrested and taken to the Philipsburg Police Station. The four young men remain in custody for further investigation, and the two young women were both given a fine of NAf. 150, each before they were released. No suspect has as yet been identified or arrested in connection with the stabbing.

The Police Department is again making an appeal to the parents of these youngsters to have a serious talk with their children before they go out to attend any of the carnival events. The opening jump-up was definitely “not a good start” for this carnival season. The Police Department is also reminding the entire community that there is a zero-tolerance policy in effect that will definitely be enforced in connection with the list of transgressions.