Machete Mayhem Across Belize, ComPol Weighs In on Mounting Murders
Allen Whylie
2016 is off to a murderous start. Since the beginning of the New Year, there have been a total of ten homicides across the country. One of the most shocking that is receiving international attention and is having an impact on the local tourism industry is the strangulation of Anne Swaney, an ABC executive producer from Chicago, U.S.A. whose body was found floating in the Mopan River on Friday morning. There have been three other murders since then. The jump in the murder count prompted the brass of the Belize Police Department to call a press conference to allay fears and to report on efforts being made to solve the various crimes. This morning, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie convened a briefing at the Raccoon Street Police Station where he provided an update on investigations as well as the weekend’s murders, including the most recent which occurred this morning.
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
“Despite our intervention efforts, our patrols countrywide, as I’ve said, we’ve had a total of ten incidents of murders committed across the country of Belize. One was committed in Belize City, one in the Rural Belize District, Hattieville to be precise. One occurred in the Selena Village, Spanish Lookout, Cayo District area. One occurred in Punta Gorda, two occurred in Belmopan involving taxi men. One also occurred in Benque Viejo. One occurred in Indian Church, Orange Walk District and one also occurred in Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek District. Of those ten incidents we have made arrests in two cases. We have also [been] looking for a number of persons in respect to two of those other cases and so we believe that four of those cases will be solved and there will be a fifth case solved because the perpetrator is presently hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. We are awaiting his improvement in terms of his medical condition to move forward but nonetheless, the investigation is progressing. We’ve recorded a number of statements from witnesses who were present.”
It’s so depressing. I can’t understand why there are so many murders in Belize. They can’t all be drug related. Perhaps a mixture of poverty and culture play a role in such high murder rates. in relatively small communities.
What Whylie needs to do is complete investigations on the men who were murdered at corner Dean and Plues Sts, January, three years ago, Then he needs to launch and complete investigations into the deaths of person who died while in police custody.
We do not need him regurgitating stories already related in police reports. He has to be the worst of all Commissioners of police ever appointed in Belize – BUT please don’t bring us one from outside!
Twenty years ago, I lived in Belize for almost two years. I loved the wide cultural differences of the people and how they blended into such beauty and happiness. I hoped to return to your wonderful country for my older years when I could enjoy all they good things I’d experienced. I am very sorry to admit that the changes to the region, not just Belieze, but the countries surrounding it, have made me fearful of living on the mainland. Now that pirates and drug runners are taking over the waters around the cayes, I feel that it’s no longer the place I want to retire.
I don’t believe this is a Belizean problem alone. I believe the criminal cultures and economic troubles of nearby countries have invaded my heart’s homeland. These things are destroying my once proud country leaving everyone, natives, tourists, and investors in despair. The only solution may be a united front from the entire region’s native peoples saying no to the evils that come from outside. To do this, we must prge the inside evils with no mercy.
I pray the Police, Military, and Justices can come together and work with the People to make Belize a loving and beautiful place again. I am sorry that my life is so short and I will never get to see this possible future from the weakness of my own body. I have only a few months to live. Please, all peoples of Belize, fight back with your words and strength against those who wish to use you to create evil/ Work with those who want to protect you and restore Belize to the paradise it once was.
Thank you all