A PLANNED Jouvert and birthday party due to take place at Beetham Gardens yesterday and this morning failed to materialize after the court revoked previously granted licenses.

Fearing the event could pose a threat to public safety and security, a magistrate on Friday recalled casual licenses for bars and dance halls.

The event, called Fun Stop, was scheduled to run all day yesterday and end at 3 a.m. today. It was to take place to celebrate Ancel “Prezzy” Villafana’s birthday.

Villafana, also known as “the chemist,” had been charged in the past, along with others, under the anti-gang law. He was never convicted.

If the event had taken place, it would have required 146 police officers, at a cost of $174,000.

In a press release issued yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service announced the revocation of the licenses.

The release stated that on October 15, a person named Steve Harford, a liquor retailer licensee, filed an application with the San Juan Laventille Licensing Board regarding the event, which was to be promoted by Roger Joseph de Prezident. Promotions.

The application was first heard on Thursday at the Port of Spain Magistrate’s Court and granted on the basis of insufficient evidence provided by police to justify its refusal.

“Further discussions took place between Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, Suzette Martin, and instructions were given to make an application to the Magistrates Court to review the decision of the licensing committee.

“The basis of the review was that the Licensing Committee failed to properly consider information provided by officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the inherent security risk posed by the event. and public safety, given the continued gang violence and crimes have been reported in the Port of Spain division and its environs,” the statement said.

He added that the matter was heard by Principal Magistrate Rehanna Hosein, who considered the submissions of the TTPS as well as those of the applicant.

Ultimately, the magistrate found that the information provided by the officers was sufficient and relevant, and that the event did indeed present an inherent risk to public safety and security. She then revoked the licenses.

Advocates Ravi Rajkoomar, SC, instructed by Deputy Superintendent Rajesh Lal and Legal Adviser Corporal Zaheer Ali, appeared on behalf of the TTPS; while attorneys Mario Merrit and Lemuel Murphy appeared on behalf of the plaintiff.

Last weekend, dancehall singer Kman 6ixx had to abandon plans for his birthday party at St Paul Street, Port of Spain, because his team failed to seek court approval to obtain the necessary licenses.