December 9, 2016: The Minister of Public Administration and Communications, the Honourable Maxie Cuffie today launched a national campaign to stop the sale and use of scratch bombs and illegal fireworks in Trinidad and Tobago with an appeal to citizens to develop a culture of care for their neighbours and elderly.
The campaign is themed “Have fun without having a blast.”
Minister Cuffie said the campaign is aimed at “the hearts and minds of everyone, to do their part to ensure a safer Christmas and New Year” since punitive laws alone have never prevented anyone from committing a crime.
Scratch bombs are illegal in Trinidad and Tobago and anyone wishing to use fireworks must obtain permission from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service forty-eight (48) hours in advance. Vendors of fireworks must also obtain a permit to sell fireworks.
The Minister said his government’s campaign is not an attempt to take away from the joyous spirit of the festive season but to ensure that “our enjoyment is not at the expense of our neighbours. There are many other ways we can celebrate the joy and merriment of the season, without getting drunk and without injuring others with illegal fireworks.”
“The ubiquitous use of scratch bombs has become the bane of many events, of many otherwise joyful celebrations. Their indiscriminate and illegal use has resulted in untold damage to property, loss of limbs, loss of hearing, serious injury to pets and other animals and a plethora of complaints from frustrated citizens, particularly the elderly,” reiterated Minister Cuffie.
Using the old adage “what is joke for schoolboy is death for crapaud”, the Minister underscored the laissez-faire attitude of some to scratch bombs and illegal use of fireworks with a promise that the campaign will be reviewed and revived in time for Independence, Divali and any other period that is appropriate.
The campaign was inspired by Talparo grandmother, Sally-Ann Cuffy who was severely injured and is now thumb less because of a scratch bomb. However, the Minister also recognizes that there are many others who suffer because of scratch bombs and the illegal use of fireworks. The Ministries of National Security and Education and TTUTA are partnering with the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications to spread the message of the campaign throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
“I also encourage our younger population to think carefully about the potential danger in which they are placing themselves and the people around them when they use these illegal scratch bombs,” urged Minister Cuffie.
QUICK FACTS
The objectives of the campaign are:
To bring awareness to the serious repercussions of the use of scratch bombs and illegal fireworks;
To reduce and eventually stop the use of scratch bombs and illegal fireworks across the country;
To increase awareness of the legal consequences attached to the use of scratch bombs and illegal fireworks;
To reduce and eventually stop demand and supply by appealing to the exporters and buyers of scratch bombs and illegal fireworks;
To encourage citizens to seek alternative ways to celebrate and enjoy the season.
WHAT THE LAW STATES
The Summary Offences Act Chap 11:02 states that those wishing to use fireworks must seek permission prescribing the time, place and conditions at or on which such person or persons may throw, cast, set fire to or let off any firework or fireworks in a town. The Commissioner or Superintendent of Police so granting permission may at any time cancel or vary such permission.
99. (1) Except as prescribed by **Regulations under this Act, any person who throws, casts, sets fire to, or lets off any fireworks within any town is liable to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1000). (2) In this section and in sections 100 and 101, “town” includes the City of Port-of-Spain, the City of San Fernando, and the Borough of Arima, and every part of the area within two miles of the boundaries of such City or of either of such Boroughs, and also any place or area declared by the Minister, by Order, to be a town or to be deemed to be included within a town for the purposes of the said sections.
100. Any person who throws, casts, sets fire to, or lets off any fireworks into, in, or upon any street not being in any town, or into, in, or upon any place being within sixty feet of the centre of any such street, is liable to a fine of four hundred dollars ($400).
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For further information please contact:
The Government Communications Unit
Ministry of Public Administration and Communications