Going into the weekend, the Belize City Police Department conducting a crack-down in the city of what is known as quality of life crimes due to a wave of violent shootings and murders. Across the city, and along main thoroughfares, police and B.D.F. have been deployed to monitor any violation of the laws—whether petty or serious. This morning, there were a large number of persons in lock down following operations held overnight. Acting Officer Commanding Precinct Two of the Department, Assistant Superintendent Calbert Flowers explains.
ASP Calbert Flowers, Deputy OC, Precinct 2, Belize City Police
“These are crimes that are in our laws, on our books and we are just starting to enforce them. These are petty misdemeanor offences that have been overlooked for some time. We have been trying all different approaches to try to combat this violence, this crime in Belize City. So we are approaching them from the smallest offence up to the largest. We won’t overlook anything at this time. So we want to warn the public that riding a bicycle on a sidewalk is an offence, riding a bicycle contrary to traffic, without light, without bell, without brake…is an offense. And the police will continue to do this operation to target these people. We know that some innocent people will be inconvenienced, but we urge people to come on board and do the right thing.”
Reporter
Calbert Flowers
“Sir is this a part of the operation to deal with the recent crimes happening this week and past weeks?”
ASP Calbert Flowers
“Absolutely, all these are efforts to try to combat this crime situation in Belize. We are also targeting public drinking and loitering. A lot of people hanging out on the street side drinking alcohol like it is legal. We want to sound the message that it is not legal to drink alcohol and to hang out on the street side in Belize City.”
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