By Sue-Ann Wayow
ONE woman and three men are charged with consuming alcohol in public in separate incidents.
Lance Mitchell, 63, of Pioneer Drive, Sea Lots, and Jameela Roberts, 30, of Santa Cruz Old Road, Santa Cruz, both appeared before Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with the offence.
Roberts was fined $3,000 or in default, she will have to serve four months hard labour. Mitchell was granted $8,000 bail with a surety and is expected to reappear at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on September 7.
Police reported on Wednesday that on Monday around 5.45pm, members of the Port-of-Spain City Police Task Force, were on mobile patrol along Charlotte Street when PC Lewis observed a man pouring a drink into a white cup then consuming it.
He approached the man and enquired if he was drinking alcohol and the man asked for a chance but arrested.
In a separate incident, PC Lewis also observed a woman drinking from a glass bottle. He approached the woman and enquired if she had been consuming alcohol and she stated she was just taking a drink.
PC Lewis then arrested the woman. The man and the woman were both taken to the Port-of-Spain City Police Station, where they were subsequently charged for the offence.
And Anthony Campbell, 50, of Eastern Main Road, D’abadie, and Nyron Burke, 28, of Patrong Road, Valencia, appeared before Magistrate Avion Gill at the Arima Magistrates’ Court also on Wednesday. They were both fined $3,000 or in default, will have to serve three months’ simple imprisonment.
The two men were arrested during an anti-crime exercise held on Tuesday The exercise was spearheaded by Insp Maxwell, supervised by acting Sgt Henderson and conducted by members of the Arima Municipal Task Force (AMTF) and Arima Street Patrol Unit (ASPU).
Police stated that during the hours of 10am and 12 noon, members of the AMTF and ASPU, went to Hollis Street, Arima. While there, they observed two men drinking from a glass bottle. PC Pitt enquired from the men if they were drinking alcohol and the men stated they were just taking a drink. Both men were arrested and taken to the Arima Municipal Police Station, where they were subsequently charged.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is reminding the public that it is an offence to consume alcohol in a public place. Section 3 (1) (k) of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2021 states “During the period of public emergency between the hours of 5:01 a.m. to 8:59 p.m. every day, a person shall not consume alcohol in a public place…”
