THE week-long Western Division Crime Prevention Carnival failed to meet the intended $50,000 that was supposed to be raised from ticket sales and stall fees.
While the carnival came to an end yesterday, organising committee chairman Faaiaz Ali said the weather had not been favourable and had been a major factor in keeping people away.
“The weather has not been good to us and that’s one of the reason people have not been coming. We also did not sell enough stall space to interested businesses so that was another contributing factor,” said Mr Ali.
“We were targeting $50,000 but because things have not turned out so well, we won’t be meeting that target.”
He said only four food stalls were available during the carnival.
Mr Ali said money raised from the week-long event would go towards the purchase of much-needed technical equipment for community posts in the Western Division and the construction of a community post between the Rakiraki and Tavua stretch.
However, despite the outcome, Mr Ali said they were happy that awareness had been raised about the role of the Fiji Police Force within the Western Division.
“Our primary focus was not to make money, we were here to create awareness on the Fiji Police Force and their roles within the community. We are happy that people turned up at the booths and showed their interest,” he said.
Meanwhile, the city of Lautoka came to a standstill for a few minutes to witness the float procession. Despite the bad weather, a large number of people gathered at the heart of the city to witness the different moving displays that were on show.
The final night of the carnival was marked with the crowning of the Miss Western Division Crime Prevention Carnival 2012.