ComPol Says No Apology for Labeling Jungle Residents as Harborers
In the pursuit of Kenrick Longsworth, Belize City police descended on Pickstock Hutment, popularly known as Jungle. In a social media post, Commissioner Williams suggested that the fugitive stepfather was being harboured by residents of that community. The comment has incensed many who live in Jungle, despite the hotspot it is known to be. Upon learning that Longsworth was subsequently captured in Isabella Bank, those angry residents demanded an apology from the top cop. When asked today if a mea culpa is in order, ComPol Williams he does not find it necessary to say sorry. As for the ten thousand dollar reward money, the commissioner says it will be shared among three persons who provided credible information on Longsworth’s whereabouts.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Three persons who will be receiving the reward and they were the ones who actually fed the police with different information at a particular time and the person who did the actual interception will also get a part of the reward money.”
Reporter
“Sir, now you have heard certainly the very strident calls in the Jungle for an apology from you because they say you have painted the pink jungle black by alleging that they are harboring someone who they would not even share a breath with, somebody that outraged them more than they have outraged the rest of the community. Do you have an apology for the people of the Jungle?”
“Chester is on the media and on social media saying that we’re hiding this man. Why will we hid this man? I want them to come to Jungle and see how much kids are at Jungle. Why will we uphold this man and we know the kind of stuff that he’s been doing? Jungle done got wahn lotta negative background already and we di try uplift fu we Jungle, but how we could uplift fu we Jungle if everybody di try bring we down, yoh undastand. Ih noh mek no sense.”
Chester Williams
“I do not see the need for an apology. The police did nothing wrong, we simply did what we ought to have done to get the person in custody and I saw the video with the lady who seemingly is outraged and that is how she feels. I take no qualms over that, our work will continue to ensure that we take this case to where we want it to go.”