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CCNTV6
  • 1 year ago
The grant of the Occasional Bar and Dance Hall Licence to have a party in Beetham Gardens tonight has been overturned by a senior magistrate.
It was initially granted by the San Juan Laventille Licencing Committee despite security concerns raised by the police.
We have more in this report from Sharla Kistow.
Transcript
00:00A release from the TTPS today explains that on the 15th of October 2024, an application
00:07for an Occasional Bar License and Dancehall License was made by Steve Harford, the holder
00:13of a Spirit Retailer License to the San Juan Lavender Licensing Committee, with respect
00:18to an event named Fun Stop, which was scheduled to be held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th
00:24November 2024 in the Beatom Gardens.
00:27The event was supposed to be promoted by Roger Joseph of President Promotions.
00:32The matter was heard by the Licensing Committee, chaired by Reg. Anston Alley, on the 7th of
00:38November 2024.
00:41During the hearing, Acting Superintendent of Police Dudath Janki, Inspector of Police
00:46Dinesh Dugar, both of the Port of Spain Division, and Inspector of Police Wayne Stanley of the
00:51Special Investigations Unit gave evidence objecting to the license, mainly on the basis
00:57that it posed a real threat to public safety and security, among other operational challenges.
01:04However, after submissions from the applicant, the Licensing Committee found that the information
01:09provided by the police officers were insufficient and not relevant, and granted the license.
01:16Upon the grant of licenses, discussions ensued between Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood
01:21Christopher and Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin,
01:27and directions were given to file an application to the Magistrate's Court to review the decision
01:33of the Licensing Committee.
01:35The matter was heard by Senior Magistrate Rehana Hossain, who found that the information
01:39provided by the officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service was sufficient and relevant,
01:45and posed an inherent risk to public safety and security, considering the existing gang
01:50violence and reported crimes in the Port of Spain Division and environs, and revoked the
01:56license granted by the Licensing Committee on the 7th of November 2024.
02:01We understand that monies had already been paid to the police to provide adequate security
02:07at the event.
02:08This will be refunded.
02:09Sharla Kisto, TV6 News.
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