Police checkpoints - we all have to live with them - and while they may be inconvenient, they've become a way of life…a welcome one for some who see the checkpoints as a necessary evil when living in a crime-ridden society. And that's why there's been an uproar from some corners today when an internal police memorandum was leaked. The memorandum was sent out on Tuesday form the Commissioner of Police and it directs all formation commanders to quote, "stand down on vehicle checkpoints countrywide." The memorandum explains that any commander needing a checkpoint must first consult with the commissioner of police. The deputy leader of the PUP told us via phone today that the opposition is concerned that this is being done so close to the election:..
Hon. Julius Espat, Deputy Leader - PUP
"We are very concerned because we are having a lot of movement of people in all constituencies. We understand that at this time, election time, there are people crossing the borders and we would like the police to have more vigilance instead of less vigilance. So it concerns us that at this critical point the police has decided to not have checkpoints and we would like some answers from the commissioner of police as to why this directive was given and what's the reasoning behind it. We want to have answers. We need to have answers. The people of Belize needs to know the rationale behind it."
And while we couldn't speak to the commissioner of police about it - we did speak to the CEO in the Ministry of Naito0nal security George Lovell who told us the directive is being blown completely out of proportion. Lovell said the checkpoints are being removed only because there have been numerous complaints about the inconvenience and time lost it causes to commuters and bus passengers who have to deal with lengthy delays and quote, "traffic backed up for miles." He said removing the checkpoints will make the police no less effective in carrying out their functions of maintaining law and order and preventing crime. He stressed that police will continue to have vehicle patrols and there will still be random checks and stops. When we asked him if it was a directive to the commissioner from the political directorate, Lovell said that as CEO he has spoken directly to the Commissioner about the inconvenience of the checkpoints.
Today, we spoke to the commander of the eastern division Southside about the checkpoints and he told us his soutshside checkpoints will remain in position:..
Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside
"If you would notice when you drive around Southside precinct one and two, we have a checkpoint at Mayflower, we have a checkpoint at Mahogany Street, we have a checkpoint at Linda Vista, we have a checkpoint at Freedom Street. All of those checkpoints are still in place. If you'd notice that the checkpoints are take down, are not those that are used as crime fighting. But those checkpoints are for other reasons and you will recall that the checkpoints that were placed at the various bridge approach, on the northern approach on the bridges - that the people of Belize City had serious issues with it, because some were saying that it was discriminatory in nature because it was only targeting Southside. Some were saying that it causes them great inconvenience when they want to move from Northside to Southside, because of the long line of traffic that is normally backed up as the police officers conduct these checkpoints and I have received a number of complaints about them. I am certain that the commissioner received far more complaints than I do and again the commissioner saw the need to respond to the concerns of the people and as a result of that directly, that the police slowdown from conducting checkpoints for now."
Monica Bodden
"You don't think this has anything to do with elections being near?"
Sr. Supt Chester Williams
"I really don't think it have anything to do with that. I just think that it's a matter the commissioner responding to the concerns of the people of the city of Belize who have been complaining that they were arriving at work late. They get home late because of the long line they have to wait in."
Police who regularly man checkpoints tell us that the random bus searches have produced many marijuana seizures.
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