The success of the feast of St Cajetan celebrated in Ħamrun on August 11 should be attributed to the excellent work by the police and to the good relations between the two band clubs, St Joseph and St Cajetan.

As the two band clubs’ presidents and the parish priest declared, Ħamrun has succeeded in eradicating the stigma that was unjustly attached to the parish, namely that of a feast marred by scuffles between supporters of the two clubs.

This was completely disproved, not only by the cooperation between the committees of the band clubs but also by their supporters’ behaviour. In the past, quarrels between individuals or families were reported as fighting between rival band club supporters. Today the truth has finally prevailed and the media is now reporting on the colourful and festive atmosphere of the Ħamrun feast.

This was due, in large measure, to the excellent work carried out by the authorities, foremost among them the police. Indeed, it is a strong police presence which ensures that any mass celebration runs smoothly.

It is useless for the Archbishop’s Curia to issue directives to the band clubs holding them responsible for a trouble-free feast, because on their own they cannot control gross misbehaviour. They can advise their supporters and exhort them to behave and to cooperate with the police but they cannot do more than that; so the onus of ensuring a trouble-free celebration falls squarely on the police. And at the feast of St Cajetan this is what actually happened.

Ably led by Assistant Commissioner Raymond Zammit, Superintendent Charles Magri, Inspectors Robert Vella, Darryl Borg, Stephen Saliba and Kevin Farrugia and Major Mario Rotin, the police in Ħamrun again managed to do away with barricades as supporters and the public celebrated in a cordial and joyful atmosphere.