Cops move in on 27 gathered at Sea Lots waterfront

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Police yesterday briefly detained a group of 27 persons assembled on the seafront of Sea Lots, in breach of the Public Health Ordinances limiting the number of people congregating together, to no more than five.

A statement by the Police Service yesterday said that video footage showing dozens of mostly young persons went viral earlier in the day, with the recorders of the video using obscene language and boasting that they did not care about COVID-19.

“Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, using specific technical units, was able to pinpoint the location where the initial video was taken. When it was confirmed that the same individuals returned to the same spot today, again breaching Public Health Regulations and putting their lives and that of others at risk, the Commissioner moved in and 27 persons were held, all assembled together, on the seafront in the Sea Lots area,” the statement said.

Police say the majority of those held were minors.

It said that Commissioner Griffith, instead of having them arrested, decided to explain to them the dangers of them congregating, placing themselves and others at risk, and then released them.

The statement added: “Commissioner Griffith states that he fully understands many young persons are becoming very frustrated due to the stay at home policy, but the frustration cannot and should not be released by committing actions that can cost them and their friends, their lives.”

The Police Service’s statement quotes Griffith as saying, “I can appreciate how challenging this can be both for parents and their charges, however, I am appealing, please keep them away from groups of five or more according to the Public Health Ordinance. Find creative ways to channel the energy, all of which can be done at home without an assembly of a large group. Be innovative, but do it within the ongoing regulations, and stay healthy.”