Officials Preparing for a Safe Carnival

A safe St. Thomas Carnival is more than policing, officials told the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, and Public Safety Thursday. It also includes food safety, waste management, and more.

Tourism officials and representatives from VIPD, the Public Works Department, the Health Department, and other stakeholders have met eight times since mid-January to plan logistics for events, from the pageants to clean up after the last lap. The meetings included issues as varied as boat race access, toilet facilities, and j’ouvert crowd management, said Ian Turnbull, director of the Division of Festivals.

Police will set up additional, temporary cameras that work in tandem with existing surveillance infrastructure, said Mario M. Brooks, assistant commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department.

Calling Carnival a “crown jewel” in Virgin Islands festivities, Brooks said federal security forces would also be involved. The strategy is a blend of “boots on the ground with digital surveillance” to intervene promptly in altercations or other unlawful behavior.