Motorist alleges victimization by Police/CitCo

In Belize City, especially in the downtown area, tickets are issued to motorists everyday for a wide range of traffic violations. But if a driver gets a ticket, doesn’t pay it and doesn’t show up when summoned to court, the Magistrate can issue a bench warrant for that person’s immediate arrest. And that’s exactly what took place this morning. But as News Five’s Janelle Chanona explains, a technical discrepancy in the case meant a rude awakening for an innocent driver.

Dr. Orlando Pelayo, Alleges Victimization
“If we don’t fight back, they are going to take advantage of us because they are using military force now. That’s what they’re doing, against civilians, I mean it’s crazy. I am today, tomorrow it’s going to be you.”

Dr. Orlando Pelayo was seeing red today after police officers arrived at his Lizarraga Street home at five this morning to arrest him.

Dr. Orlando Pelayo
“I say what crime did I do? So they said that I parked some time ago on Regent Street and I was driving a white Mitsubishi three door car, or van no? And apparently I supposed to have showed up in court and I didn’t show up.”

Janelle Chanona
“Do you own such a vehicle?”

Dr. Orlando Pelayo
“That’s the big question. I don’t, never did. I don’t even like vans.”

Pelayo says he found out about the ticket about a month ago when he was served with a court summons. But when he contacted the Magistrate at the Traffic Court, Pelayo claims the judge assured him that a mistake had been made and the matter would be dealt with internally.

Dr. Orlando Pelayo
“And he said this is bad business. This thing is wrong; this is not right. He said don’t worry about it, leave it in my hands. And bam this morning, this thing blow right up just like that. I had to go before the Magistrate. I was unrepresented; I represented myself and I told the Magistrate blank that this is a travesty of justice. They got the wrong man and there is no way they can drop that charge on me. And so she said to me, look they need to apologize this is wrong. We are living in a police state now. The innocent people are victims.”

Janelle Chanona
“So was it a case of them just getting the wrong license plate number or do you think somebody deliberately used your name?”

Dr. Orlando Pelayo
“Okay, this is my view, this is just my view: apparently some traffic warden gave somebody a ticket, it was probably the same description. I don’t know how they end up with my name. I don’t know how it end up here. Everybody in this country know I drive a motorcycle and I have two jeeps.”

According to the City Council’s Traffic Court Manager Pearl Bodden, a full review of the case is now underway because while the license plate numbers are registered to Pelayo, there is a difference in the description of his vehicle and the one the ticket was issued to. Pelayo is threatening to sue both the Police Department and the Belize City Council if he doesn’t get a public apology within a week.

Dr. Orlando Pelayo
“Look what happen to that lady in the Yarborough area. I need an apology from them. This no finish yah, definitely it’s not finish yah and the point is that I supported them. I am on their side and if they can do this to one of their own, what wouldn’t they do to their enemies.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.