From the time the steel pan tramp started at 4 a.m. until the bands started winding down at 10 a.m., all anyone could talk about was how great this year’s J’ouvert celebrations were.
Facebook posts from residents all across the community began coming in early, as steel pan and other groups began moving up Veterans Drive before the sun even peeked over the hills. DJ Avalanche hit the ground around 4 a.m. with one of the bigger J’ouvert troupes, Carnival Kaleidoscope, while the bigger bands – Cool Session, Triple K, Volume and Poizon – began making their way up the route around 6.
As usual, this year’s festivities brought out residents of all ages, decked out in their finest – or skimpiest – attire. J’ouvert is one of the only celebrations in the territory where anyone can wear anything and get away with it, and this year was no exception: from young men wearing sparkling gold shorts to older women gyrating down the street in wigs, fishnet stockings and crop tops, there was no shortage of eye-popping costumes.
"The women made it great," St. Thomas resident Jerome Petty joked as the celebrations wrapped up. "Seriously, though, this year’s J’ouvert reminded me of old times,” he said.
“There was no violence, people got along today and I think it’s because they understand what’s been going on and that they needed to come together, stand together, and do better for each other," Petty said.
Resident Leo James added that many of the groups were out rocking their Carnival colors. This year’s J’ouvert boasted more troupes than usual and James said that they came up the road clad in bright green, yellow and orange.
"Last year, the celebration didn’t get that far but this year, everyone was ready to go for J’ouvert," James added.
There was one other noticeable addition to the revelry this year: scores of police and other law enforcement officers, who not only lined the sidewalks and streets, but were seen on top the bandstands and even in helicopters circling over downtown. Dozens of aerial shots from residents aboard the choppers have also been posted on the Internet, showing the wall-to-wall crowd that came out to party this year.
Residents have speculated that multiple shootings over the last few days were a sign of worse things to come, but many Thursday said that only one fight broke out during the tramp, which police were able to quickly contain.
"This year’s J’ouvert was excellent, actually," St. Thomas resident Catherine Williams said. "There was a little scuffle, but it was taken care of. The police were out in full force, they were able to catch the guys and take them away, and the celebration continued. No shutting it down this year. And there was a good crowd, a lot of people came out and had fun, so it was really excellent."
A police news release sent out Thursday said there was one stabbing during celebrations. According to the release, a 22 year-old man reported being stabbed sometime after 8:30 a.m. while he was dancing behind one of the bands.
The man told police that he was dancing in a crowd when he noticed people starting to run.
"At the same time he felt a sudden pressure to the side of his body and realized he was stabbed," the release said. "The victim said he did not know who stabbed him and he did not know why anyone would stab him."
The victim was taken to the Schneider Regional Medical Center for treatment. Meanwhile, Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives are following up the case. Anyone with information is urged to call VIPD’s Major Crimes Unit at (340) 642-8449 or 911. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-TIPS. Residents can also text “USVI” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
