B.N.N. Expresses Concerns over Growing Crime
On Wednesday, the Belize Network of N.G.O.s sent out another release to express its concerns on a very different but growing concern – crime. The B.N.N. says that there are reasons to be concerned about the frequency of violent crimes, including murders and sexual offences. Today, Senator Osmany Salas called for crime to be addressed in a multi-partisan and collaborative effort. The B.N.N. outlined several approaches that should be considered to find a solution to crime in Belize. Those suggestions include the integration of at-risk youth; increase resources for social programs; targeted development programs in gang-ridden areas, as well counseling and other forms of care P.T.S.D. care for victims of gun and sexual violence. Here’s more from Osmany Salas.
On the Phone: Osmany Salas, N.G.O. Senator
“We are very concerned at the rate of the homicides or the murders and killings are happening. We could very well maintain the extremely high homicide rate that we have. Already we rank in the top ten of the per capita homicide rate in the world. For a country that is the size of Belize, that should not have to be the case. I know that the police department has a huge responsibility. They alone cannot do it. This is where we have to come together and try to find solutions and collaborate to see how we can reverse that trend. Over the last two weeks alone, from media reports, we know of at least eight killings and two shootings where the two individuals, the victims, are in critical condition. That is just too much. I think it is high time for the government to partner with the Opposition, other political parties, the civil society, the private sector to try and find a way to reverse this trend. Last year, I believe, there was a security summit but we really haven’t heard any follow up since then. There needs to be a constant effort to work together to try and combat this problem. So, that was the purpose of our release, to really express our concern and offer a few ideas as to what could be done moving forward.”
