Policing With You – Public Order Act, Public Meetings and Processions Act

Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 12, 2020 (ZIZ News): With the recent upsurge in public meetings as the Federation awaits the call for the 2020 elections, law enforcement agencies are doing their part to sensitize the public on the penalties and other prohibited behavior under the Public Order and the Public Meetings and Processions Act.

On Thursday’s episode of “Policing with You”, Inspector James Francis along with officers of the Special Services Unit discussed the Acts and how persons can avoid committing offenses under these laws.

Sergeant Tressy Morrishow said that organizing unauthorized marches or public meetings is one of the offenses under the Public Order Act.

“First of all organizing unlawful marches and we say it’s unlawful because they didn’t have any permission from the Commissioner of Police. Any person who attempts to organize an unlawful march, incites or rather encourages persons to be a part of that march, they are committing an offense under the Public Order Act.”

Sergeant Morrishow said the penalties for organizing unlawful marches consist of fines and/ or imprisonment.

“The penalties for these offenses, they usually have a fine of up to EC$2,500 or imprisonment for up to a year or it can be both”.

She also explained that persons who engage in disorderly conduct at authorized public meetings commit an offence.

Sergeant Morrishow said that these laws were put in place to help law enforcement personnel police these events and maintain order.

“Policing With You” airs every Thursday at 9:15am on ZIZ radio (96.1 FM) during the “Morning Show”.