Authorities plan major holiday presence on land and sea
it’s a time of the year when fair weather and four days of holiday make for fun all across the nation. And to make sure we don’t return on Tuesday to a newscast full of bad news, Belize’s law enforcement authorities today announced some ambitious plans for Easter.
Gerald Westby, Police Commissioner
“It was emphasized that there will be a spirit, a goodwill spirit between countries and I am certain that if you should get into any trouble, you would be able to call in the Police Department and we will be able to help.”
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Following a recent meeting of the chiefs of police from Central America and the Caribbean officials decided that this year a regional effort would be made to make the Easter Holiday as safe as possible. In Belize, the heightened operations will be coordinated by law enforcement officers from the Police Department, The Belize Port Authority, The Belize Coast Guard and the Ministry of Transport.
Gerald Westby
“And the strategies that we are implementing here are strategies that will be implemented across the region and we will cross fertilize as to information and intelligence. We will be having regional…all the countries will be having command centres and the information will be passed back and forth.”
The plan of action is three fold to curb the incidents of crime and ensure road and water safety. Twenty-four hour patrols will be conducted on our seas and highways. Law enforcement officers have been deployed in crucial areas to deal with the expected heavy marine traffic flow.
Elton Bennett, Operations Officer, Belize Coast Guard
“We have identified the area of San Pedro going down to English Caye as one of the prime location for boaters and also the area of Dangriga going down to Placencia as the second traffic area.”
“We know that by an increase of marine traffic means an increase in chance as of marine casualty. We cannot guarantee a hundred percent safety out at sea, however we will be patrolling as much as we can.”
Each vessel heading out to sea will be stop and checked to ensure that regulations are being adhered to.
Major Gilbert Sawso, Operations Manager, Belize Port Authority
“So even before the boat departs, our officers will there to ensure that those people using the various water taxis…we will first ensure that those water taxis certainly have the various safety equipment on board.”
Mariners are being advised not to overload their boats and to keep their communication and safety equipment in good working condition and that includes lifejackets.
Major Gilbert Sawso
“It is not be perceived that we are here to harass anybody in anyway or form but rather trying to save lives and that is our main focus.”
Motorists as well will be closely monitored by an increase in check points and mobile patrols.
A.C.P. Eduardo Wade, Head of Operations
“We will be doing a number of vehicle check points both static as well as roving check points with a view to minimize accidents and enforcing the traffic regulations on a whole and of course to ensure that drunken drivers are stopped and taken off the street if they are found. That is one of our main concerns over this Easter holidays and even outside of the Easter holidays. We know that drinking and driving has caused a number of accidents and we will be cracking down on those types of activities.”
Tirso Galvez, Operations Officer, Department of Transport
“Focusing on overcrowding of buses. We will also be focusing on people who are sitting down on the side of the pickup pans; that will not be allowed. We want to advise all drivers to ensure to check their vehicles properly before engaging in long distance travelling.”
To help raise the awareness, The Belize Tourist Board and the Ministry of Home Affairs have helped to produce a set of leaflets. Among the water safety tips provided is a step by step guide to save someone from drowning. The crime prevention brochure provides home owners with a list of things to do to secure their property especially for families who will not be home.
A.C.P. Crispin Jeffries, Head, Eastern Division
“If you are going out contact a trusted neighbour, not any neighbour a trusted neighbour, and ask them to keep an eye out for you because you can have neighbours but you can also have neighbours that cannot be trusted.”
The police also say they will not entertain excessively loud music and alcohol consumption especially on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Authorities will pay close attention to business establishments and residences where there is a problem of noise pollution.
A.C.P. Crispin Jeffries
“I have seen a number of places that have request to have dances on Good Friday, you know to come into the wee morning of Good Friday starting from Thursday night. The law is specific. If you are going to get any extension to your license, it has to be after six p.m. on Good Friday.”
The law enforcement officers say it will take both their effort and community support to ensure a safe Easter Holiday.
