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RAPF
addresses the alleged "shut down" of Moon Splash on Saturday
night/Sunday morning.
Date Posted: April 02, 2008 - Press Release - RAPF
The recent promotion of Moon Splash 2008 although five
persons were arrested for offences under the Misuse of Drugs
Act, was generally incident free. This must be attributed
to the manner in which the Royal Anguilla Police Force
discharged their obligations in ensuring that the patrons
could enjoy the activities in a relatively safe environment.
In spite of our efforts it has become necessary to dispel
the allegations by the promoters of Moon Splash who
discounted or rather disregarded the importance of security
for their Patrons.
The main accusation was that the police shut down Moon
Splash, on Saturday night. It is very disappointing and
deceitful that the promoters of Moon Splash could make such
irresponsible and untrue statements at the Dune Preserve and
on To the Point Programme on Monday night, when they knew
better. On March 27, 2008 an application from Bankie Banx
of Moon Splash Productions signed by Dr. Linda Banks reached
the office of the Commissioner of Police setting out the
hours for which the shows will be performed. The
application was amended to read 3:00am for the Friday and
Saturday night shows. The application was signed by the
Commissioner of Police and the Magistrate giving a license
to operate between the hours of 8:00 pm – 3:00am. This was
so, despite an earlier representation by Olaide Banks that
the show would have been completed at 2:00am.
On Saturday night or rather at 2:47am on Sunday morning the
Commissioner of Police was awoken by Olaide Banks who,
apologized for disturbing him, and said they did not want to
disobey the condition to stop at 3:00am but it seem that
they would go over that time. The Commissioner of Police
inquired from Olaide what had happened and he said they had
some technical difficulties and he was requesting
permission, at 13 minutes to 3:00am, to finish at 3:45am.
The Commissioner of Police told Olaide Banks that it was
okay, they can go until 4:00am but he would have to inform
the officer on duty. Olaide Banks passed his phone to
Inspector Paul Sinclair who was advised that permission had
been granted for the show to go until 4:00am.
It is against this background that I am of the view that the
promoters and producers of Moon Splash is deceptive and
sought to infuriate the law abiding patrons at the show and
the general public that the police shut down the show. I am
advised that a lot of time was lost between the acts and had
the organization been better, we would not have this impose.
For the avoidance of doubt, our attendance at Moon Splash is
to ensure that the producers can continue to promote Moon
Splash as not ever having an incident because of the effort
we put into it. The verbal attacks and racial statements
made against certain members of the Royal Anguilla Police
Force are unwarranted because all of us, no matter our race
or origin, are members of the Royal Anguilla Police force
trying, even in the face of adversity, to enforce the laws
of Anguilla.
The promoters of Moon Splash are held in high regard on the
island and when they advocate that the rule of law should be
subverted it diminishes the respect that one has for them
and can lead to a breakdown of law and order.
In spite of what had been said about us we will continue to
police Moon Splash. We have always accommodated the
promoters and supported them in their Endeavour’s,
irrespective to any inconvenience caused, because it is our
view that the success of Moon Splash and the reputation of
Anguilla require our support, which we look forward to
lending in 2009.
