By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE public is being advised by the police on the restricted use of drones during Carnival activities.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in a media release this week listed certain areas designated “No Fly Zones” by the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority.
These areas include Port-of-Spain, Chaguaramas, Caroni, Point-a-Pierre, Point Lisas, Point Fortin and Galeota.
Also, drones are not to be operated:
• Within five kilometres of any manned aircraft operation including the boundary of any airport,
• Within two kilometres of any helipad,
• at an altitude of over 400 feet, over any crowded area or over any public event.
The TTPS stated, “The only exceptions to these rules are for drone operations of which the operators have received authorizations/dispensations from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority which comes after a rigorous evaluation of advanced applications. In these cases, the operators have to meet a number of requirements as applicants and follow very stringent guidelines to maintain a safe air space.”
The TTPS stated that it will be deploying law enforcement drones throughout the country with a significant saturation over Port of Spain and environs to assist with safety and security for the Carnival period with members of the TTPS Air Support Unit paying special attention to errant use of drones.
“All necessary steps will be taken to safeguard the public especially where drones create a hazard with respect to public safety or to any aircraft (including law enforcement drones),” the release stated.
The TTPS reminded the public that a number of major mas and cultural related events will continue until March 8 which is considered the remaining Carnival 2025 period.
