T&T is at high risk and becomes a "soft target" during the Carnival celebrations. So says Paul-Daniel Nahous, a certified US Anti-Terrorism Officer and Israeli Counter-Terrorism Combat Instructor, following claims of a terrorist threat in T&T.
“Carnival season is in counter-terrorism or terrorism known as a soft target…easy to hit and the impact of hitting would be great because of the amount of people and possible locations. It is also a symbolic thing to hit during national festivities as it is deemed a huge reward on their end, which is the terrorist end,” Nahous said.
Nahous advised revellers and spectators, who would be on the road for Carnival, to know the route they are taking for Carnival, section the route into zones and for each zone to create its own muster point.
“So, in case of a mass shooting or bombing you would be able to get to your muster point. Do not look for people in the band or who you came with because no one is going to hear you because there is going to be hysteria. If your muster point is blocked off for some reason, have a back up, maybe a side road…communication is afterwards.”
He warned that if for any reason you are taken hostage, “do not fight back, stay calm and comply…do what you are told to do and don’t try to play hero in the situation because it is not a movie thing.
"It is not going to have a happy ending because if it is a veteran in terrorism they will kill you without thinking twice or if it’s an amateur they will get nervous and kill you…so do not do anything to get them nervous.”
He said the only time you should attempt to escape or fight back is if it's in the most dire of circumstances where they are executing hostages and the opportunity presents itself.
Do's and Don'ts during an attack
Do have a plan
Do make sure everyone is on the same page of the plan
Do find the quickest and most efficient way to your muster point, especially when choosing your muster points
Don’t get yourself so drunk that you don’t know what’s going on
Do not attempt to find anyone through the confusion
Do not try to use your phone to contact anyone because its not going to make sense no one will hear you or communication would be down
If you see any unusual behaviour, for example, someone dropping a backpack in a bin or with a gun in their waist report it to the police or soldier.
Do not accost the person yourself
Do not question or ask that person anything
Do not try to run your own investigation
Do not try to stop the person or attempt to catch him yourself
Do make note of what clothes they are wearing, not so much their jersey or shirt because it can be changed easily but note what colour and type of pants or shoes
Make note of their skin colour, ethnicity and/or any serious distinguishing marks, like a scar or tattoo. Identify things on them that would be easy to remember and easy to report.
If you are in a band and hear gunshots or explosions:
Do not immediately drop to the ground because there would be a stampede and you can get killed…what you should do is get your head down and try to get to somewhere safe, for example, your own muster point
Do not try to run to the hospital, get to somewhere safe and once out of danger, signal someone because there is going to be soldiers and police everywhere
Do not try to move the injured to the hospital yourself because you may cause more bleeding to occur. Your job is to signal the authorities