After Thomas Staine Murder, Should Taxi Drivers Worry?

Thomas Staine

Are taxi drivers at risk in Belize City? According to police, no more than usual. Thirty-nine-year-old Thomas Staine was murdered overnight on Monday, his stab-riddled body recovered from the Collet Canal two hours after his taxi was found abandoned with blood stains on the passenger seat at the corner of King Street and Amara Avenue. He is the fourth member of his profession to be killed in recent months and while ACP Broaster believes there is no pattern, the murder itself remains under investigation.

Edward Broaster

ACP Edward Broaster, Operations Commander

“I wouldn’t say that taxi men are being targeted. If you are saying that we had three to four taxi men murdered over the past twelve months, that’s not an indicator to say that taxi men are targeted. Nevertheless, that matter is being investigated thoroughly, and I am sure the investigators are going to do all in their power to discover the offender or the suspect who committed that crime and deal with them.”

ACP Broaster said drivers should be careful of their surroundings at all times and take care not to be in a vulnerable position.