Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro says the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is prepared to deal with any eventuality that may occur during Monday’s 64th Independence Day celebrations after its latest assessment found a “very low threshold” for a threat.He said yesterday the assessment had given the TTPS confidence in proceeding with the celebrations, with 222 officers assigned to the Independence Day parade in Port of Spain on Monday and more than 400 others allocated to contingency and support duties.“We have 222 officers set for the parade, and we have over 400 officers set for contingency methods and supporting resource roles,” Guevarro said.Last year’s Independence Day holiday was markedly different, after the Government cancelled the traditional military parade, official functions and State-sponsored fireworks amid the ongoing state of emergency.The Ministry of Homeland Security said the decision was based on intelligence and national security concerns, including the risk of exposing senior State officials, members of the protective services and others to threats by gathering at the traditional Savannah ­venue.The parade and official functions were ­replaced by a National Day of Prayer and ­Reflection, while permits were restricted to silent fireworks for private displays.Speaking at the Savannah following a dress rehearsal yesterday, Guevarro said officers would be deployed along the ceremonial parade route and at the evening cultural event.He said the TTPS would operate under Legal Notice 671, which provided for parking restrictions and the blocking of streets for the Independence Day parade.Legal Notice 667 also provided for parking restrictions associated with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket matches.He urged members of the public to pay attention to the notices, as the restrictions ­varied according to the location and event.“In general, we are looking at a complete lock-off of parking within the Savannah from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m., so thus that is an indication to members of the public that the Savannah is off-limits for that entire period,” he said.He said traffic management would be carried out by officers on the ground and motorists, and other members of the public were expected to follow their instructions.Guevarro said the TTPS’ approach to the celebrations would focus on “professionalism, visibility, and facilitation”.“I want to reassure members of the public that the TTPS and all arms of national security are well poised for ensuring that this is one of the safest parades for Independence,” he said.Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, the Gold Commander for the celebrations, said entry and exit points would be managed by law enforcement officers.She said the parking restrictions under Legal Notice 671 applied to the Savannah during the Independence Day activities, but the times varied depending on the event.She said the restrictions also varied for the CPL, and urged members of the public to consult the legal notice and official TTPS communications for updates.Defence Forcecompletes final rehearsalDefence Force public relations officer Lieutenant Sherron Manswell said all armed and unarmed detachments took part in the ­rehearsal, which continued despite heavy rains yesterday.He said Commodore Don Polo, the Chief of Defence Staff, would serve as parade commander this year and would lead the parade on horseback.Manswell said this differed from previous years, when parade commanders were drawn from Defence Force formations.President Christine Kangaloo, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, will inspect the parade, Manswell said, adding that the parade would involve the protective services, youth and volunteer groups, and would represent unity among those groups.“From the military period aspect, it’s a demonstration of our unity amongst all the protected services, the youth and volunteer groups, and it is an opportunity for us to show our nation, our people and our story, and our independent story,” he said.Cultural programmeand fireworks plannedMeanwhile, Jerome Lewis, communications strategist at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, said a cultural programme would be held at the Queen’s Park Savannah from 5 p.m. on Monday.He said the programme would include a children’s zone, artistes and entertainment for families.Fireworks are scheduled for Port of Spain and San Fernando at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.Lewis urged members of the public to observe parking restrictions, follow the directions of law enforcement officers, and monitor road closures to avoid being caught in traffic.Guevarro said the celebrations were intended to bring together the national security services and the wider population.“My simple message to Trinidad and Tobago will be one celebration, unity of the national security forces, unity in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.Prior to the cancellation of the celebrations in 2025, Police Commissioner Guevarro described the events leading up to the declaration of the SoE as one of “grave concern”, telling a news conference the police had received intelligence reports “whereby organised criminal gangs with persons inside of the prisons and persons operating on the outside of the prisons have formed themselves into what I would want to term an organised crime syndicate”.Weeks before the August 31 celebrations, the Government announced its postponement, noting security advice indicated that bringing the President, senior Government and Opposition officials, members of the Judiciary and large contingents of the Defence Force and police into one location posed a security risk.Last year’s cancellation was also expected to save the State at least $2.6 million. A Cabinet Note showed the parade had been projected to cost about $1.5 million, including roughly $600,000 for the Grand Stand, while the fireworks were estimated at another $1.1 million. Legal Affairs Minister Saddam Hosein said the savings would be redirected towards crime-fighting initiatives.The decision was criticised by Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, who questioned the Government’s security rationale after the Prime Minister had said days earlier that ­citizens were safer.