By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

HEARING gunshots and seeing people running for their lives was a frightening experience for choreographed dancers of the Valley Boys shortly after they finished rushing on Independence morning. 

The shootings at the Junkanoo parade on Bay Street that left three men in hospital brought calls yesterday for added security and support for the police.

Co-Director of the Valley Boys choreographed dancers Kishlane O’Brien said that while the police are doing an excellent job during Junkanoo parades, Thursday’s incident is a clear sign that they could use more help and more technology to ensure weapons like guns are knives don’t make it to Bay Street. 

“We were the first group out,” Ms O’Brien said. “When the shots were fired I saw mothers literally picking up their children and running away. Now Junkanoo has always been a family event. But I saw mothers holding their young children like a bundle of flowers and running for their life. Could you imagine that?” 

“It was extremely frightening. In fact the dancers have communicated and everyone expressed concerns whether or not our safety would be of some importance. We’re choreographed dancers. We’re moving all the time and focusing on our moves. So we can’t be looking over shoulders in the crowds.”

Police were forced to shut down the 41st Independence Day People’s Love and Unity Junkanoo Rush Out in the early hours of Thursday following a shooting incident that left three males in hospital. They were 39-year-old Roland Cunningham, who was shot once on the right side; Emile Sweeting,15, of Palm Avenue who was shot once to the upper right thigh; and Cordero Mcdonald, 21, of Whylly Close, who was shot twice to the left hand.

The parade was shut down just before 5am as police could not immediately find the men responsible for the shooting. A 21-year-old man from Pyfrom Road was arrested and is being questioned regarding the matter.

Ms O’Brien said she could not criticise the police because there were many officers working the parade and that they were doing a great job. However, she added that new security measures need to be put in place so that participants and spectators, especially tourists, are protected and can enjoy the parade with peace of mind. 

Chairman of the Parade Management Committee Douglas Hanna said when it comes to Junkanoo parades, he believes police are “stretched to their limit” and need assistance. 

“These parades stretch the police to the max,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “You know the thousands of people that come to Bay Street for Junkanoo. They not only have to provide security for Bay Street, but the whole of Nassau. Like everything else, incidents happen and police have changed their strategy over and over. But they just need some help.”

“Whichever organisation is responsible for putting the parade together, whether it be New Year’s, Boxing Day or Independence, they should get other security to assist the police. Based on my research, when other countries have their major events like this they get assistance for their police.”

According to Mr Hanna, despite how unsafe some people think attending Junkanoo is now, it was much worse in 1998 and 1999, when he was serving  as a superintendent on the police force.

“In 1999 there was this whole issue of people coming to Bay Street, just walking or sitting, and they would be robbed of their chains and money. You even had some people that would walk along Baillou Hill Road and smash the windows of every car they saw. So in 2000 we changed the strategy and put barricades and stopped people from walking behind and under bleachers. Ever since then things were better.”

With Thursday morning’s parade being cut short, some groups were unable to participate, angering a few who may have spent hundreds of dollars constructing their costume. 

Ms O’Brien said while she understands their pain of spending money on their costume, safety for her is most important.

“Safety is paramount,” she said. “The initial impact would at first create an atmosphere where people feel irritated. But safety should always be first.”

“We love Junkanoo and I share the sentiments of my fellow junkanooers where I know it is expensive. But I also share the views of the public where your safety is first.”