Belizeans for Justice Members searched by cops in rain
yolanda schakron
Belizeans for Justice Founding members, Yolanda Schakron and Joan Sutherland formed a bond since both have lost loved ones to gun violence. They have been vocal against crime and against corruption in the Police Department. The Schakron and Sutherland families recently took a trip to the Galvez family’s farm near Clarissa Falls. But at seven on Sunday night, the women were pulled over by police officers and detained in cold rain while officers searched for illicit substances. Schakron and Sutherland believe they were targeted because their organization has exposed corruption in the police ranks.
Yolanda Schakron, Belizeans For Justice
“As we were coming out on the road, where the highway meets the Carissa Road, suddenly police lights came on. My brother said they are there for us. My son who was driving said no uncle, why? They jumped out of the police vehicle. Four of them with big guns, approached the vehicle surrounded it and said get out of the vehicle now. My son preceded to come out, my brother, me, Miss Joan and his boyfriend were in the back. So we opened the door and come out. I told them, my name is Yolanda Schakron, I am Belizeans for Justice, I would like to know what’s happening. They refused to answer any questions. He proceeded to go to my son, he’s seventeen years old. I said you know could you please tell me what’s going on. He said no and he said we are going to search this car. I asked could you give me your name. They said I can’t give you my name, speak to the commander. And then I told him why do this to us. I am demanding to know. We have a right we are citizens, we are not committing any crime. He said I wish I had a video to videotape you guys right now. I was like why? And he said, why are you going home so late? And then my sister-in-law asked him, is there a curfew? And he said, what are you guys doing up here? That farm, my dad, my grandfather, they grew up on that farm so that’s like in the Galvez family for a long time. The guns were pointed at us all the time. I was very terrified. Finally I heard the one that was in charge said his name was Corporal Arzu. It was raining, pouring rain, pouring rain.”
Joan Sutherland, member, Belizean for Justice
joan sutherland
“If they were searching for drugs, Jose, me and Miss Yolanda sister-in-law, we have big bags on us that we carry everywhere. They didn’t took mine or Kim’s one. They only took Miss Yolanda’s one. So if you’re looking for something I guess you should search everything.”
Schakron and Sutherland say that the intimidation tactics by the police officers will not deter them in any way from their work with Belizeans for Justice.
sad once more when will those idiot police learn when will they PM want to stop the crime rate Mr SIng get rid of those officers who are currupt like the PUP this is not politice but its the truth i was once a PUP canditate in Town Council. At the same note SHET UP AND STEP UP TAKE COUNTROL THEN CRIME WILL START TO DDDDDDDROP
YOLANDA needs to start STANDING BEHIND THE CONSTITUTION!!!
That is the ARMOUR THAT SHE NEEDS.
Shame, Shame Shame on the Police for these intimidating tactics of innocent and courageous people who dare to take a stand, speaking out for justice. Compol Jeffires owes them an open apology.
The police harassing this people should be looked into. This is getting way out of hand because these two women are doing nothing wrong, they are only trying to do what most of us should be doing, taking a stand against crime. Shame on the police officers for trying to deter these women, this only proves that they are protecting the criminals and not the citizens of Belize. Minister Singh and PM Barrow, take note of this and do something!!!!!
I think Arzu should be fired, why are the police intimidating these people? They have already failed miserably to control real crime in the country Miss Schakron should organize a protest against these dirty cops while they should be protecting people like Miss Schakron from the criminals it seems like they are adding to the problems. We know that civilized cops don’t normally pull people over in pouring rain unless they have a real cause to do so and obviously in this case they had no real cause they seems to be worse than the dirty criminals when their job should be to protect and serve they are applying intimidation tactics just like real mobsters, now we are talking about dirty cops here not the decent ones so there are no need for any response defending the police force this is not against the police force I am sure that there are decent cops on the force that is trying to do the right thing but for those who cannot understand that then they must be a part of the problem. Let’s hope that there is a full inquiry into this matter and if no satisfaction is given then there should be a protest against the police force, and also when dealing with matters concerning the police force let’s not stereotype the force as this can only make matters worse our concerns should be focused on those cops that are acting outside the law.
STAND YOUR GROUND ‘BELIZEANS FOR JUSTICE’.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ALWAYS FOLLOWING THE LAW AND DONT TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. BE SAFE AND WALK WITH A CAMERA OR RECORDING DEVICE, YOU WILL BE CONTINUALLY HARASSED UNTIL YOU GO AWAY(I HOPE YOU DONT)
I think that Mr. Singh should look into this matter personally. this is not the first time that this family has been harassed. I have not seen a single follow up on the Police’s side of these cases. Don’t you think that if the Police Department would want to win back the public’s view and support, that they should have a Public Relations person to follow up on cases like these. I don’t mean to be defensive, but to clearly state to the public that an internal investigation will be conducted and get back to the public with their side of the story. This would bring back a lot of respect to the Police department rather than not saying or doing anything.
Our country is complete free fall and PM is moving at break neck speed to lock down dictatorship.
We are approaching the point of no return and PM has the peddle to metal.
Now this is the kind of leadership and authority we need here in belize. That is a strong and bright woman. I’m glad shes doing her work for us the people
As in the many cases that involves Whistle Blowing–the Whistle Blower is always dragged
through the mud and is attacked and treated as though they have committed a grave crime—-I
say great job to the good people involve in this organization—I can see your organization
enveloping the entire internal affairs dept of the Police and turning it into a positive department
that solves some of the country’s problem—Most of the COPS who believe that they are doing
there jobs should start asking WHY?—It is proven that people would take instructions and act
on them even if it involves the endangerment of the life of another –just because its instructed
not necessarily means it is OK—POLICE OFFICERS in BELIZE needs to know how far inside
the BELLY OF THE BEAST they should reach—literally.
Things like this is y the police department continues to get a bad name…
blvnjah,
A camera won’t help while they are are on the road if these guys want to harm them, it may be “mistaken” for a gun & an excuse to shoot these people. It is plain & simple harassment & these officers superiors need to explain. There is no reason to believe that the officers did it on their own without implied or direct orders from their bosses.
Yolanda, Joan stand your ground but be careful. One officer killed his colleague at the station in San Pedro & we still have no official word & no one is being prosecuted. Obviously someone is listening to your conversations, turn the tables, call the police station & let them know where you will be & let them know that you expect them to have your backs.
Weh di gwaan with Eldon d behave like idiot
Thats the reason our country is going backwards ,, why ? because our same authorities dont know what to do and how to do it!! they target good people instead of targeting the bad ones .. They should be fired and replaced by integral persons that will defend the good!!
YOLANDA…………….THE CONSTITUTION IS YOUR DEFENSE!!!!!!
Miss Schakron and Miss Sutherland, I know that it’s not easy to do what you guys are doing. You’ve been harassed, threatened, ridiculed, victimized, and repeatedly disrespected by the Police, yet you guys still stand tall and that’s commendable.
These Criminals in Badges (CIB) are a very dangerous adversary. Their hatred for ‘Belizeans for Justice’, and its executive members, comes from way up top. We have seen these guys shoot one of their own multiple times, and justified it with the approval of the Minister of Tourism/San Pedro’s area rep.( No justice to date for Cpl. Gavin Sanchez) and for all we know, Sgt. Paulino Reyes is probably still getting paid by the BPD.
We have seen them admitted to the shooting of a hardworking construction worker/bread winner, in his head, called it an accident, and then invited this badly wounded father, to sue them if he needs any food or money to feed his family. To heck with ‘damage control’, I suppose. (No Justice to date for Steven Buckley either.)
We have seen The Police ignored anonymous tips in the Teddy Murrillo’s, Rinick’s, and Chris Galvez’ cases, when it was suggested that cops were involved in these shootings.
We watched them, in the famous April’s Fool Prank, which was suppose to expose a group of rogue, serving cops, involved in the SSB, Scotia Bank’s robbery/murder, and a series of other robberies according to them. In the end, Jermaine Mangar took the fall with charges any mediocre attorney can beat.
Has anyone had a time to step back an see that two wrongs dont make a right? I have been following this movement and i realized that Ms. Sackron has a lot of anger in her! She needs to gain a better understanding of the women she seem to want to champion! These women are in pain, hurt and greiving. You cannot use that to fuel a cause. What about getting conselling, for them? The bottom line is that Police will always be there. Wheter they are right or wrong, we cant become their ememies. We cant spend countless time wasting on being victims to them or to Society!!! we have to be survivors! we have to be supportive!
Think alot at what really matters Ms. Sackron!! And Pray!!!! God alone can deliver Justice, but He also seeks humility and forgiveness!
God Bless Belize
The Police Department should be intimidating the criminals and not these people .
This is a really good example to show how crooked the Police force in Belize really is, no wonder we can never solve crime situations, the police is the biggest crooks and criminals in this country, and until something is done to stop all this corruption, i’d say regular law abiding citizen brace to fight the ones who are supposed to be protecting us….
I agree with u mother as well. She really needs to understand the pain of these mother and head this movement without anger in her heart. Many times our siblings are doing wrong and we don’t want to accept it and if you do wrong, wrong will follow u. I know that’s no excuse for what has been done to them but compare to the mothers that have lost innocent loved ones. Believe me,I really admire her for what she is doing putting herself at risk for a good cause. But like u said God alone can deliver justice , she can only help but she needs to start by forgiving and would make it even better a cause by seeking counseling for these grieving mothers. This incident they experienced. Some policemen in the districts probably don’t know these women. I believe some of these police only know some of their superiors by name caz they don’t even visit the stations, if u want to see them u have to go to Bmp. esp. if they are being transferred. The police have to be patrolling that area because several illegalities have been coming through that road from across the border. Just recently over 50 cases of beer were confiscated by the customs that came through that same road, of which i heard less than half of that amount was taken to customs. So u see, corruption exist everywhere. That road is being used a lot lately for contraband. So the police are just doing what they are directed to do, to search and check everyone coming out that road, especially late at night. I’m really sorry for Mrs Shackron and her friends for that incident and probably someone recognized her name when she said who she was, after her bag had been searched, and that’s why the rest were not searched and they were left to go. Remember there are 2 sides to a coin. The police department on the other hand,needs to start cleaning up from way at the top and the way i see it, they and the ministers only pretend but really don’t give a damn. Until it happens to one of theirs, then mayyyybe we might see quicker actions!
these police should be in Belize City checking the streets that are infested with murders and gun shootings. Simply saying they don’t do their jobs when they are supposed to. They keep taking advantage of people who they can manipulate. The other department in Belize that is very corrupted is the customs department, especially at the Santa Elena Border. They are very unfair, disgusting and terrible to people they can take advantage of.