Minister of National security John Saldivar introduced a package of major anti-crime initiatives yesterday at the Prime Minister's business forum.
The independent media wasn't permitted to stick around to tape his speech, but we got it from the press office.
He speaks first about employing an unused law to declare certain areas as "crime ridden."
That is a special legal status which gives police wide powers to conduct searches without warrants, restrict movement within an area and to cordon it off.
It is a big law enforcement stick - which also clashes with the personal liberties of citizens. That's why in the past, police ministers have been wary to invoke it.
But Saldivar - who's never been afraid to take tough decisions and court controversy - said yesterday that the law will be used this time.
And, we'd say it started this morning before six am when police and BDF descended on La Croix Boulevard, Linda Vista streets and adjoining areas.
That's been one of the hottest areas in the city and police - including the K-9 unit swarmed it this morning.
We couple those images with Saldivar's explanation of the new rules of engagement for areas designated as "Crime-ridden."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Since yesterday the security forces including the BDF have been deployed into crime ridden areas and are as we speak aggressively targeting and disrupting criminals and their activities. There is now visible presence in these areas and again ask your cooperation and understanding during the security forces operations."
"The police commissioner will be invoking today, for the first time I believe since the law was passed the declaration of several crime infested areas of Belize City as crime ridden areas which will give his police and BDF the power to search any and all houses in the area without the need for a warrant."
"This declaration will also allow the police and the BDF to restrict movement in and out of these areas. These areas will be cordon off and every person entering and exiting the area will be stopped and searched and a systematic house by house search of these areas will be done with immediate effect."
The engagement on La Croix street lasted from 5:30 to about 10 am. We could not confirm with police if that had been officially designated as "crime ridden"
A part of the programme also involves the introduction of stepped up patrols checkpoints. The patrols will be an extension of the stepped up patrols that we usually see on weekend. But now they will be conducted all week long.
And the checkpoints will be intensive, where police intend to identify and detain criminals.
Saldivar explained:
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Patrols which used to be stepped up on the weekends are now stepped up on a daily basis. 6 ATVs with police and BDF are now deployed on a daily basis. Special foot patrols are now in place also on a daily basis. Vehicle check points are once again being strategically placed across the city to intercept and disrupt criminals. Special intelligence officers who are familiar with these criminals are being placed at these check points with list of names and pictures of persons of interest. Every person in whom we have an interest will be detained and held for questioning as often as long as it takes for the police to conduct proper investigations into the many unsolved crimes that are under investigation."
The sustained crackdown and special duties - which will go right through to Christmas - will cost one hundred thousand dollars a week and will see at least a 25% increase in deployment of manpower.
And, Saldivar also says he plans to beef up the police prosecution branch. But in the interim he wants to make bail more difficult to get for repeat offenders.
He made a call on the courts:..
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"As of today the police are under instructions to begin to crack down on all those who commit petty offences and quality of life crimes. Discipline begins with the small things and it is perhaps because of our neglect of small crimes that we now have a crisis with big crimes."
"As of today the director of public persecutions is being asked to petition the court for the imposition of stiffer conditions for bail and even the denial of bail for repeat offenders. I am making a public call to the magistrates and judges to use their discretion afforded to them by law to imposed stiffer penalties on persistent criminals to impose stiffer conditions for bail and to even begin denying bail to these habitual criminals."
As for juvenile offenders, there is a plan for them also. A special correctional training facility to house convicted habitual juvenile criminals will also be built. The AMANDALA reports that this will be in the Pine ridge Area.
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