BRIDGETOWN — As the curtain fell on Carifesta, a curious question lingers in the air, sparking debate among Barbadians: why did the police seem so focused on ticketing illegally parked vehicles while more serious crimes, like robbery, went unaddressed that same night?
The police were well within their rights to report vehicles parked on the sidewalk. Their actions were a textbook example of maintaining public order and safety. Yet, for many attendees, the sight of officers diligently placing tickets on cars felt like a jarring disconnect from the reality of rising crime.
“It takes very little to puzzle me,” one attendee remarked, “but it’s baffling how police can find the time and resources to report a parked vehicle, but seemingly lack the resources to deal with criminals robbing innocent people on the very same night.”
This sentiment highlights a deeper concern about the allocation of police resources. While traffic management is a critical aspect of policing, particularly during large events, it often falls to a different operational division than the one that responds to violent crime. However, to the average citizen, the police force is a single entity, and their priorities are judged by what they see on the ground.
Critics argue that the parked vehicles were not impeding traffic. “I didn’t see any signs that those vehicles impeded either vehicular or pedestrian traffic,” said another event-goer. This raises the question of whether the enforcement was truly about public safety or if it served another purpose, such as generating revenue from fines. This speculation is not helped by the fact that Barbados’ judicial system is already burdened by a backlog of minor traffic offenses. Chief Justice Haynes has called for a major overhaul of the magistrates’ court system, citing years of neglect and inefficiency. He’s specifically pointed to the high volume of traffic cases as a significant contributor to the backlog.
While the Barbados Police Service has issued a statements to clarify their actions on this specific incident, their actions at large events have long been part of a broader traffic management strategy. The goal is to ensure a smooth flow of people and vehicles, often in collaboration with event organizers. This can include implementing a “park and ride” system, a method that has proven effective, but still faces challenges with public buy-in.
The apparent contrast in police response on a night of heightened activity highlights a complex issue. On one hand, enforcing traffic laws is a key part of maintaining public order. On the other, the public’s perception is shaped by the most pressing concerns in their lives, and right now, many are more worried about their personal safety than a parked car.
Some are even swayed by the “I want the money” our beloved PM