By Saio Marrah
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has issued guidelines geared towards preventing uncontrolled large gatherings during the festive season.
The police on Wednesday, 9th December, 2020, issued a press release warning the public against convening in large gatherings, citing prevailing concerns and regulations over the COVID-19 pandemic. Street gathering, which include street carnival, street procession (large group of people walking together on a street or street crusades) are all prohibited, according to the statement, which warned that no one is permitted to hold any such gathering without the written permission of the Inspector General of Police.
The head of Media and Public Relations of SLP, Superintendent Brima Kamara, told Politico that applicants seeking permission to stage any such activity must state the location they intend to hold it at and they must show in between the time they intend to do so. Superintendent Kamara added that the maximum number of people that will be allowed to gather is 35.
“You write to the inspector general of police informing him that you want to do ABC, at so and so location, at so and so time. Then you can even go further to tell us the number of people you expect to be there. If you look at the regulations we have for COVID-19, you should not gather more than 35 and it applies to this also,” he explained in a telephone interview.
Kamara said the issue of street jogging, secret societies and masquerades are all banned. He said this is because they (SLP) want to ensure that there is a free movement of people on the street. He said there has been a time when the streets get congested by street joggers and this sometimes led to theft and violence. He said the reason is also for the public to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.
The police spokesman encouraged the public to report any disturbance of loud music, noisy instruments and shouting in their communities after 10:00 PM to the police, noting that all these constitute crimes, according to the 1965 Public Order Act.
The police press release also reminded the public that it is unlawful to throw fireworks, fire a gun, missile or a rocket that may cause injury or annoyance of others. This, he noted, is also rooted in the Public Order Act.
According to the Kamara, saloons, bars and other public entertainment centers are also reminded to close at 11pm. But he said those that are not disturbing the peace, quietness and are not causing or provoking violence to communities are free to operate even after the stipulated time.
The release further reminded the public that it is unlawful to drive while drunk or under the influence of alcohol, that it is also a crime to drive a vehicle that is not registered, noting that all vehicles with valid G-Plates or Temporal Vehicle Registration (TVR) should not ply the streets after 6 PM.
The release concludes by admonishing the public not to use a vehicle for any purpose, other than what it was registered for.
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