Gun amnesty programme hauls 6 inch bullet
The gun amnesty programme closed with a bang. In its last days in November, a bullet at least six inches long was handed in to the cops in Belize City and there was both surprise and relief. The final figures of the firearms and ammunition that were delivered to cops around the country have still not been tabulated. Jose Sanchez reports.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
The month of October was a month of forgiveness and redemption. That was the sales pitch the police department sent out to citizens who had illegal weapons or ammunition in their possession. That pitch had to be extended for an additional month because there were few takers.
Supt. Edward Broaster, Director, C.Y.D.P.
“Just over this weekend, Friday and Saturday we received four firearms. We received one point twenty-five pistol that turned in through the Youth for the Future program. On Friday we received a point twenty-two rifle along with on Saturday a thirty-thirty rifle and a sixteen gauge shotgun.”
Douglas Hyde, Youth Program Coord., Community Policing Unit
“Myself and other officers been speaking to members of the community in terms to take advantage of the gun amnesty. We realize who important it is and, of course, it’s all based on the individual so we encouraged them to take advantage of the time. We did get some information and we passed those information to our headquarters, Eastern Division and Senior Officers. We did assist in getting some of the ammunition from individuals.”
Supt. Edward Broaster
“Well, the ones that are being arrested for firearms and ammunition, they believe that they are so smart, they won’t be caught. This just goes to show the others out there that the police is on a vigilant patrol and they will be caught and now so that the amnesty is over since first of December, the police will be on a more aggressive campaign in ridding the streets of firearms.”
It is during this gun amnesty period that a grenade exploded in a yard on Faber’s Road. And last week Friday a dangerous piece of artillery was handed in.
Douglas Hyde
“I was called by a member of the community who had some young men cleaning up the individual’s yard. And they found a serious size of bullet. First time I ever see it in my life. I was scared to just hold the bullet. Seriously it was about five to six inches long and in diameter about two or three inches wide. And I immediately made contact with our senior officers in terms of handing in this bullet. And it was really an eye opening situation seeing the size of the bullet but later to understand that it is a bullet from an aircraft, something to that extent
but still dangerous.”
While some additional ammunition and weapons were removed from the city streets, there is still a need for a viable solution to encourage people from amassing illegal firearms.
Douglas Hyde
“I think we need to look at its not just a time to hand in your weapon but what incentive to give that individual. I’m not saying that finance is the only incentive, but let’s look on groceries, let’s look on other material things that can assist the individual home or family.”
Supt. Edward Broaster
“Those individuals who are bent on committing a firearm offence, then I certainly won’t have pity for them because we had the gun amnesty in the month of October. The Crime Control Council extended that month to give them opportunity to turn in firearm and ammunition and they refuse to accept the amnesty that was offered to them so it’s tough times ahead.”
Jose Sanchez
“If you do the crime you must do the time.”
Supt. Edward Broaster
“Exactly.”
Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
