Carnival declared a success despite shooting incident

Kingston Mayor Andrew Swaby has declared this year’s Carnival in Jamaica a success despite what he described as a single unfortunate incident during the festivities.

Swaby made the remarks on Tuesday during the monthly council meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) where he also highlighted ongoing social outreach efforts across the city.

He said the collaborative work of multiple agencies helped ensure the staging of carnival was well-organised, safe and enjoyable for participants and spectators.

Swaby also praised post-event sanitation and garbage collection efforts, saying streets were cleared efficiently after the road march, with minimal environmental disruption and a swift return to normalcy.

However, he condemned the shooting incident at the Big Wall event held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Carnival night, and extended wishes for a full recovery for the three people who were injured.

Outside of that incident, Swaby said the event was a resounding success.

He noted that Carnival in Jamaica continues to grow in economic importance, driving activity across multiple sectors and adding vibrancy to the city.

“I commend the bands, the organisers, the patrons,” he said, adding that the KSAMC worked closely with stakeholders throughout the planning process.

He said the event demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration, strategic planning, and shared commitment to execution.

In the meantime, at Tuesday's meeting, 32 organisations and individuals were recognised for their work in providing meals to the homeless population in the capital.

The mayor commended the awardees, noting that their efforts played a key role in supporting vulnerable groups across Kingston.

- Corey Robinson

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