Belize City Curfew Still in Effect

Chester Williams

As part of the Police Department’s crime-fighting strategy, a curfew for children is currently in effect in Belize City.  The decision was made in June after the city was gripped by a spike in major crimes, especially murders.  According to ComPol Williams, some children continue to be on the streets during late hours; however, officers are allowed to use their discretion on an individual basis.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We try to use our discretion as much as we can. We have yes indeed encountered some children on the streets after hours and we took them home to their parents and issue a verbal warning. It is not what we want to do in every situation but we try to look at people’s situation and we want to compromise in areas that we can. But I want to tell the public that the curfew is a serious issue and we intend to enforce it. We had put together a curfew team that patrol the streets during the curfew hours looking for children who are on the streets unsupervised and where we encounter any then the parent of those children will be dealt with.”