New Wheels on the Ground

Elodio Aragon Jr.

Minister of State Elodio Aragon Junior whose office is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Belize Police Department, says the plan of action has the full support of the Ministry of Home Affairs.  That branch of government has since acquired fifteen new vehicles to be assigned to the operation.  The junior minister says the objective of ACT is to upset the efforts of criminal elements on one hand and on the other, provide those seeking mediation with an avenue to dialogue.

Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of State for Police

“This situation has come to a front where the Belize Police Department can no longer sit by and continue to see the escalation of violence in our streets and in our communities.  As such they have come up with this operational plan, this Operation ACT, Addressing Crime Together, to deal with the situation at hand.  As you have heard, this is a two-pronged approach.  One: looking at the direct disruption and intervention in terms of dealing with the criminal elements on the ground who are causing violence in our streets on a day-to-day basis.  And on the other side, it’s to look at offering them the side of mediation and interventions which Chester will be doing.  Our precinct commanders, Mr. Vidal, along with all the other precinct commanders, along with Mr. Broaster and Mrs. Magdaleno will be looking and continue to ensure that we do what is necessary to deal with the situation on the ground.  We have all seen the violence within the last three to four weeks and it is a time that this comes to an end.  I also want to say that the Ministry of Home Affairs is supporting this operation a hundred percent and we have thus far acquired fifteen new vehicles to assist in this operation.  Fifteen new vehicles that will be deployed in ensuring that we have effective patrols on the ground, not only to assure the public but also to assist in the direct operations to deal with these people who are directly involved in the crime situation.  I am confident that the Belize Police Department can make this happen, but we are asking the community likewise to give us and lend us your support.  Only by working together can we address this crime situation.  Only by working together can we address this crime situation.  In every neighborhood, in every community, people know exactly what is happening, exactly who are the ringleaders, exactly who are the people and associates that are involved in crime.  We need to come together as a community, come together as a people to ensure we can tackle this problem.”