Crime Being Exported from Old Capital

Howell Gillett

You’ve probably noticed, but there haven’t been that many murders in Belize City since Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett took over in Region One in March. He has put in a lot of work with his officers and his community policing style has paid off some dividends. But in a case of progress bringing problems, there has been an exodus of criminals from the Old Capital to ply their illicit trade in other municipalities, not to mention the recent killing of Oscar Rosado Senior. Superintendent Gillett says it is a matter being discussed by the national security team in an effort to stop the rot from spreading.

Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Regional Commander, Region One, Eastern Division

“Yes, indeed, because of what we are doing in the city, we’ve seen the increase in robberies not only in the other side of the City but also in the other districts. And I believe that’s the conversation being had at this moment by our national security team, to find ways to counter those activities. Because we’ve seen out West there are elements from Belize City who were involved in different robberies, not only the West but I believe in the other central parts of the country and the southern part of the country, where Belize City gang members were involved. So yes while we are trying to hold down crime in the Region One section of Belize City, we have to look at other areas as well, because the criminals get accustomed. And it’s hard to be committing crime and not being detected because there are so many things in place in our side of the city, but yes, we need to do more as it relates to the other side of the city and the other parts of the country.”