And that community policing initiative that we saw on Jane Usher Boulevard is the kind of effort that Police Minister John Saldivar wants the police department to become synonymous with. Now, community policing is a buzzword that comes into very easy use - but it's never gotten the kind of attention or resources that paramilitary style policing has gotten. Saldivar says he hopes that can change:...
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"The long term policing plan for this entire country is indeed to focus on community oriented policing. We are convinced that the police has got to be more involve with the community and as well the community more involve with the police. So, both models, the one that you have described from OC Eastern South and the one that you describe from Mr. Jemmoth. They both must apply, because we believe that that is the way out of this crime crisis that we are experiencing."
Jules Vasquez
"Minister, we've seen the number of homicides cut back quite significantly in the Belize District particularly over the past one month to 5 weeks and again, that is simultaneous with the transitioning. We always remember correlation is not causation, but is there any hope that we cannot break a record for homicides this year and keep in under 140 nationally?"
Hon. John Saldivar
"I am pretty confident that we will keep it under that record which I believe was 145 for 2012 I believe is when we did that and I believe that what we are doing now, we are already seeing the slowing down as you have said. July was the first month in this year beside January that we were able to not surpass last year's numbers for homicides and so we are very hopeful that the new strategies we are employing and especially the new configuration here in Belize District at least is going to keep the murder count down."
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