7 News Belize

Cops Try To Contain Crime Spike
posted (January 3, 2017)
So, it's a very violent start for the New Year, and coming off 2016 which saw 137 murders, or a 15% increase, the police are under pressure to reign in the violence. Today the 3 commanders of Eastern Division told us what they plan to do:...

ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern Division South
"Yes, the way the year began is of concern, and rightfully so. Three murders in 2 days is way too much, and I will take the opportunity now to assure the residents of Southside Belize City that Southside Belize City will be safer than it was last year. The police production will be better than it was last year, as well. We have tried a new approach to policing, which will continue, but while we embark on that new approach. I will send sound warning to those persons who have not taken advantage of the 1 year and 6 months to decide whether or not they want to change their lifestyle, that the style of policing will be changed where they are concerned. In the sense that, you cannot be out there on one hand, committing crime, and pushing others to commit crime, and on the other hand, think that you can call me and I will rescue or I'll take the police off your back. That will not happen. I have given my strike team new directions this morning, and like Mr. Broaster said, the criminals will be complaining more of the police. It is not my style to brutalize people. So police brutality is surely out of the window. The officers will be out there in a more aggressive manner in the gang ridden neighborhoods, conducting stop and search, of them, their vehicles, motorcycles, whatever they're seen on. They will be harassed by the police until they get the message."

ACP Dezerie Phillips - OC, Eastern Division North
"We of course will continue the efforts that we have been working on. Within the North Division, we have reconfigured our patrolling strategies, something that we have to constantly be doing, and I have to say that its effectiveness has been a very good one for us. We have seen calm. We have seen significant decrease in terms of major incidents in the North Division over the past, at least the past 3 weeks to a month. But again, criminals and persons of criminal minds look for opportunities, and when an opportunity presents itself, then action is taken."

ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Rural Eastern Division
"Nobody can see intent. While the last murder in the Rural Eastern Division put us one above last year's numbers. Major crime in whole is down overall for Rural Eastern Division. We enjoy a good cooperation with members of the community of Rural Eastern Division, the citizenry in a whole. And that partnership will continue."

And so, while community policing will continue for the known gang affiliates, police promise a crackdown, minus brutality.

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