Major security arrangements for Trinidad and Tobago vs USA

Police are implementing major security arrangements for the World Cup Qualifier against the United States.

The following is a statement issued by the Ministry of National Security:

"A joint Inter-Agency Security meeting was held at the National Operations Centre (NOC) today at which security and safety issues were discussed relating to the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying match between the national teams of Trinidad and Tobago and United States of America (USA) carded for tomorrow, Tuesday November 17th 2015 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

In attendance at the meeting were representatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) including Traffic Branch, Transit Police, and the TTPS Task Force; Strategic Services Agency (SSA); Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF); City Police; Office of Disaster Preparedness and

Management (ODPM); Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS); Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) and The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT).

The following were decisions taken for public awareness:

• Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. Patrons are urged to arrive early to avoid late rush coming close to kick-off time. Match time is 7:36 p.m.
• No patron parking allowed at the venue
• No coolers will be allowed at the venue
• Patrons must have a ticket or accreditation to enter the venue.

Advertised ticket venues were this afternoon re-stocked. Tickets will be sold at the venue from 10:00 a.m. on match day only if available.

• All patrons must enter the facility through the St John’s Gate entrance

The following traffic restrictions will be in effect between hours of 5:00 a.m. to 12 midnight on Tuesday, November 17th 2015 (match day):

• No parking on Fitzblackman Drive; Hamilton Holder Street; O’Connor Street; Ariapita Avenue (between O’Connor Street and Maraval Parkway); Maraval Parkway; Foreshore
• Illegally parked vehicles will be wrecked (wrecked vehicles can be retrieved at Abbatoir Road, Opposite Central Market)
• Police Officers will also be patrolling these areas

The following security arrangements apply to the venue:

• Patrons are asked to keep all aisles and landings on all stands clear at all times to ensure traversing between various points at the venue in the event of any type of emergencies
• No open flames vending will be allowed in the precincts of the Hasely Crawford Stadium
• All exit routes are to be kept unobstructed
• Approximately three hundred (300) law enforcement personnel will be deployed on the ground to provide security both inside and outside of the stadium
• There will also be a Police Mobile Booth at which anyone can make a report or share any information with the police that they think necessary
• TTPS Canine Unit will also be deployed
• Scanners will be deployed at various locations at the event
• TTPS Eye in the Sky will also be in operation
• Added mobile patrols will be deployed to ensure safety for post-match gatherings and personnel awaiting transportation at various taxi stands
• Various assets of the NOC will be deployed to assist in law enforcement and safety for the event
• The NOC Situation Awareness Room will be monitoring the event and surroundings and will be providing situational awareness to forces on the ground
• A Venue Operations Centre (VOC), to be staffed by members of various arms of the protective services will be activated at the venue from 12 noon tomorrow until stand-down orders are given
• ODPM has also alerted all key stakeholders to be on alert for any contingency measures
• NWRHA has also been alerted to be on standby to treat with any mass casualty situations

The public is requested to co-operate fully with the protective services and to at all times comply with directions provided by the officers on duty. The public should contact 999 or inform nearest police officer if they observe any untoward situation.