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~ Zero tolerance in effect ~
PHILIPSBURG--Police on Thursday called on motorists to take note of the traffic diversions that will result from road closures associated with Rio Productions' fourth annual Lighted Parade on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00pm to 2:00am.
Front Street will close as of 5:00pm on Saturday in preparation for the parade, and vehicles parked on the road after this time will be towed at the owner's expense.
Brenda Wathey of Rio Productions told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that the parade has grown tremendously with some 1,000 persons registered to jam this year. This is an increase of some 800 persons since the parade first started four years ago and almost 300 more than the number that jammed in the parade last year.
All T-shirts for the parade have been sold out. Only some costumes are still available, Wathey said. The international event will feature two bands: WCK from Dominica and Grand Masters from St. Kitts. Wathey stressed that the event will be a safe one for revellers. "We are expecting to have a lot of safe fun," she said, adding that the cooperation from the police will emphasize the safety aspect of the event.
The parade starts at Le Grand Marché at 8:00pm and heads onto Bush Road, onto Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill), Front Street, Emmaplein, in front of Sundial School and end at to the TelEm parking lot. She anticipates that the parade will wrap up around 1:00am, as that is the time given in the permit.
Henson described the parade as a "mega" one, which he said has been growing. He said there will be a lot of traffic congestion, and urged motorists to take note of the route and street closures to avoid the congestion.
Inspector Benjamin Gout provided a synopsis of the road closures for the event. The first closure is the Prins Bernhard Bridge as of 8:00pm, when the parade starts.
In a press release issued after the press conference, Henson said Front Street will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic as of 5:00pm until the parade has cleared the area. Hotels, motels and businesses in the area are urged to inform their clients about this traffic measure, and that no parking will be allowed in Front Street as of 5:00pm. Residents of Front Street should also take keen note of this information. Vehicles parked on Front Street during this time will be towed at the owner's expense, Henson said.
Gout told reporters that about 40 officers will be out along the parade route to ensure safety and security of the event. Authorities said the parade is usually well organised with participants identified in their T-shirts, which is their entrance to the parade.
Police officials stressed that the police zero tolerance policy will continue to be in effect for the parade. This means that troublemakers and law breakers will be fined or locked up. The fines range from a minimum of NAf.100 for offenses, such as fighting or obstructing a parade procession to NAf. 600 for cases of ill-treatment. The offenses for which fines will be issued under the General Police Ordinance include: Not following commands of a police officer; disturbing a parade; fighting in public (not ill-treatment); removing, replacing or taking down of a police barricade and throwing of bottles NAf. 100 or US $56.
Under the Weapon Ordinance, persons found to be in possession of a weapon (not a firearm) or an offensive or harmful object can be fined NAf. 500 or US $283; resisting arrest NAf. 300 or US $169; not adhering to an order given by a police officer NAf. 500 or US $283; insulting an officer on duty NAf. 300 or US $169; verbal threat (not group/gang related) NAf. 500 or US $283; ill-treatment NAf. 600 or US $339 and lastly, destruction of property NAf. 300 or US $226.
Under the Opium Ordinance (drug law) persons found in possession of cocaine up to 3 grams can be fined NAf. 300 or US $196; possession of cocaine of more than 3 grams, but less than or equivalent to 5 grams NAf. 500 or US $283; possession of marijuana between 5 to 20 grams NAf. 250 or US $141; possession of marijuana in excess of 20 grams, but less or equal to 30 grams NAf. 500 or US $283 and possession of 6 to 10 Xtc-pills NAf. 500 or US $283.
