Renovated police station dedicated in Belize City
The gathering only just broke up but the happening at Queen Street was a star studded event. No less than ten Ministers of Government were on hand for the dedication of the newly refurbished Eastern Division Police Headquarters and the receipt of a couple of vehicles and assorted crime fighting gear from the US Embassy. Keynote speaker for the occasion was Minister of National Security Jorge Espat. According to our correspondent Espat remained optimistic in the face of rising criminal violence and persistent police brutality. He also remained true to form by praising a new building which appears to have been designed and constructed without the aid of an architect.
Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security
“This newly refurbished Queen Street Police Station stands as a proud symbol of a new Police Department which is on the move. Dozens of other police stations and sub-stations have been expanded, renovated and repainted across the country. Hundreds of Belizean workers, dozens of building contractors have left behind the fruits of their toil and labor. Communities all over Belize are now able to reclaim ownership and re-acclaim pride in their police stations.
A few years ago few would have believed, much less hoped that the initiatives we take at the Ministry of National Security and Immigration were possible. In fact many had written off the Belize Police Department as a symbol of decay and incompetence. Today we prove the cynics wrong and show what is possible when we refuse to accept defeat.
Today we show that with determination and motivation we could produce a new Police Department which is on the move. In response to all mandate we embark on a major program of reform and modernization. Our program is responding to the rapidly changing and increasingly complex crime environment. Our program is far reaching, long term and ambitious. It involves changes in attitude, organizational structure and values and work ethics. These changes are aimed at positioning the Belize Police Department as a first class, dynamic, highly motivated, highly trained, confident law enforcement agency capable of providing safer communities.”
The police building is not the only new architectural development on Queen Street. It seems that in their zeal to provide a new image for the department, painters totally obliterated the lively art installation which until last week graced several hundred feet of the wall surrounding the compound. When reached for comment today artist Gilvano Swasey, author of the work, told News Five that no official has yet contacted him to explain why the art work was destroyed.
