I MISSPOKE
Gibbs on statement that all of T&T under curfew:
By Akile Simon
COMMISSIONER of Police Dwayne Gibbs yesterday admitted that he misspoke when he stated that the entire country was under curfew restrictions from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Gibbs was criticised by several radio talk-show hosts and members of the public yesterday, as his statement contradicted those of National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.
On Tuesday, at a news briefing at the National Security Ministry in Port of Spain, Sandy and Ramlogan said citizens living in communities in which there are no curfew restrictions were free to go about their business.
Sandy stated that persons who live outside the curfew zones were free to congregate on the roadways, and even have parties in their communities, once they conform to the rule of law.
However, when Gibbs was told by the Express on Wednesday that police officers have continued to impose curfew restrictions in several communities which are not listed under the Emergency Powers Curfew Order 2011, Gibbs said as far as he was aware, the curfew restrictions apply throughout the country.
The Express yesterday published Gibbs's statement as its lead story, headlined "Curfew Everywhere".
The Police Service Public Affairs Unit and the Ministry of National Security immediately reacted to the story, stating that the curfew was in effect in the six identified areas.
The release issued by the Ministry of National Security stated: "The current state of emergency applies to the national community. The 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, however, is applied only to those areas identified as "hot spots" within the municipal corporation areas, including Port of Spain, San Fernando, Arima, Chaguanas, San Juan/Laventille and Diego Martin."
The release from the Public Affairs Unit of the Police Service stated: "Statements attributed to the Commissioner of Police in the media have created some confusion regarding the state of emergency and the curfew hours now imposed.
"Kindly note that the Curfew Order 2011 proclaimed by the President for the imposition of the state of emergency, states that the order is for Trinidad and Tobago and not just Trinidad."
The statement went on to list the areas under curfew restrictions.
Speaking at yesterday's joint post-Cabinet news conference at the Prime Minister's St Clair office, Commissioner Gibbs said he misspoke when he stated that curfew restrictions are to be enforced throughout the county.
Gibbs said: "I want to start by talking about my comments yesterday (Wednesday) to the media and obviously I misspoke yesterday.
"My intent was to say the state of emergency was throughout Trinidad and Tobago, with of course specific areas that have been identified and published already in the newspapers as far as areas, already where curfews will be held.
"...We are asking for cooperation of all citizens to honour that curfew. Even if they are not in those specific areas, it makes it easier for the Police Service and the protective service agencies to do their work and to do it in a fair manner that's going to affect safety and security of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago," Gibbs said.
Editor's note: The curfew order was signed by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and not proclaimed by the President, as stated in the Police Service Public Affairs Unit's press release.