September 10, 2020

Bar Owners Want Clarification On “Private Properties” Following Bayside Towers Incident

By Newsroom

As public dialogue continues over whether an arrest can or cannot be made on private property for breaching the number of people allowed to gather according to COVID-19 regulations, the Barkeepers and Operators Association of Trinidad and Tobago is calling on the Attorney General and Commissioner of Police to clarify the matter. 

The discussion was triggered after police said an arrest could not be made at a pool party at Bayside Towers earlier this week, as the event was a private one held on private property. 

Official Statement from BOATT:

The Barkeepers and Operators Association of Trinidad and Tobago is calling on the AG and the CoP for clarification on the incident at Bayside Towers pertaining to parties on a private property under the current Health Ordinance. 
 
The association will like to emphasize on all past arrest on private property similar to the bayside incident. 
 
All past arrest were well articulated on the TTPS facebook page one of which was an arrest of 32 persons at a private house in Valsayn in which they were subsequently charged and granted station bail on the 13th of August. 
 
These instances were not deemed a sticky situation with investigations pending but persons were arrested and charge immediately. 
 
Also the association will like to make known that all bars once not open to the general public is also considered private property in which persons were also arrested and charge with absolutely no hesitation or warning by the TTPS.
 
The BOATT is calling for immediate clarification on this matter as the right of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as enshrined in the constitution applies to all citizens and not only a particular  percentage of society.
 
 
 
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