| As you've seen in the news tonight - there was whole lot of crime this weekend. And that scary spike has spurred the expected boilerplate reactions from politicians.
First up was the Leader of The Opposition, John Briceno, whose office issued this statement. Quote, "The PUP holds the Barrow Administration completely responsible for yet another six months in which the general law- abiding citizenry continues to be paralyzed by crime. We are fed up of the press conferences and constant claims that statistics show that crime is decreasing. The families of Anna Villanueva, the five fishermen, or the family of Principal Alarice Andrewin can testify that crime is not reducing. The many Belizeans who are assaulted and the many businesspersons who are held at gunpoint, beaten and their establishment robbed are a persistent reminder that crime continues to rise." End quote.
It concludes by saying that the Opposition is ready to work together with the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security to, quote "formulate a real crime fighting plan."
Well, the Ministry if National Security says it has a plan to step up police and coast guard patrols along the coast and within Belize's territorial waters.
A statement adds, quote, "The Ministry, however, reassures the public that there is no indication that there is any generalized threat to public safety. The Ministry notes that there is a tendency for crime to spike after reports of illicit activities related to the transshipment of drugs that are destined for North America find its way on Belize's shores…The Ministry of National Security cautions the public to stay away from any strange packages found floating at sea…"
The statement ends by repeating - as if trying to convince its authors - that, quote, "The Ministry is confident that these types of incidences do not signify a decrease in the general safety and security of citizens."
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