Police stop Carnival
band after 10 fights
PHILIPSBURG--Police stopped a popular Carnival band from playing music Saturday just short of its arrival at the St. Maarten Festival Village, after about ten fights behind the truck marred the final street jam of the season.
Three-time St. Maarten Carnival Band of the Year No Limit silently approached the Village after 11:00pm during the Last Lap Jump-Up after several fights and violent confrontations behind its truck prompted police to demand it shut off its music on the Pondfill.
Most of the fights and confrontations of that night happened behind the band. Police had stopped the band’s music at least five times to handle confrontations.
Although band members repeatedly warned the mostly teenage and young adult revellers to stop fighting, many were undaunted by their urging. Many of the confrontations happened when the “bouncing” – rough flailing that involves wild shoulder tackles, elbow strikes and arm thrusts – caused the revellers to react angrily.
Many of the incidents appeared to be the result of excessive drinking.
