Dear Editor,

As a youth advocate, I’m writing to express my unease over the proposal to relax the curfew for minors during the carnival season. While carnival is a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity, we must not lose sight of the importance of safety, especially for our youth.

The current curfew, which prohibits minors from being out between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., exists to protect us. It’s not meant to limit enjoyment or dampen the carnival spirit, but rather to ensure that young people are not put in potentially dangerous situations during late hours. Removing or relaxing that protection, even temporarily, could lead to serious consequences.

Carnival brings with it a host of activities, some of which are simply not appropriate for minors. Many late-night fetes claim to be restricted to adults, but the reality is that these age limits are often not enforced. That means underage attendees can easily slip in and find themselves in environments where alcohol is flowing, supervision is minimal, and behavior is not always age-appropriate. The temptation and peer pressure to participate in risky activities increases in these settings.

Without the curfew in place, minors would have more opportunity to be out unsupervised during the very hours when risky behavior is most likely to happen. We’ve seen it before: underage drinking, unsafe encounters, and even brushes with law enforcement. Carnival should not become an excuse to lower our guard.

That said, I also believe youth should have a space to enjoy and celebrate carnival, but in ways that are appropriate and safe. Instead of fully relaxing the curfew, I suggest that exceptions be made for certain structured events designed specifically for young people, such as the Teenage Pageant, Junior Calypso, or Kiddies Carnival. These events typically offer better security, supervision, and are built around the interests and safety of minors. Allowing flexibility for these specific events strikes a better balance between participation and protection.

I call on the Hon. Cutie Benjamin and other decision-makers to think seriously about this solution before making a final decision. Protecting our youth should never be a seasonal consideration. It should be a year-round priority.

I also want to take this opportunity to encourage parents to be especially vigilant during the festivities. Keep an eye on your child or children. Know where they are, who they’re with, and what kind of events they’re attending. Carnival can be a joyful time, but that joy should not come at the cost of your child’s safety.

Let’s make sure our youth can enjoy carnival without being exposed to unnecessary risks. Keep the curfew in place, and let’s keep their well-being first.

Sincerely,

A Youth Advocate