9 O’clock Curfew to be Imposed on All Belize City Minors

Chester Williams

Three minors have been detained as the gunmen in two of the recent homicides in the city; it’s a reality that is frightening because it is believed that minors are being recruited by gangs to commit these heinous crimes.  But Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, whose jurisdiction these murders were committed, is not taking the matter lightly. Williams told the media this morning that effective today, unsupervised minors found outdoors after nine p.m. will be detained by officers. It is a drastic measure that some may not agree with, but Williams says it has become necessary to address the broader issue of parenting.

ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“The problem that we have are young people. Two of the past murders that we have had, there are children involve, minors. And I am going to say something that some factions of the community will not like again, but I will say it because I think we have to be frank with people. As of today, I have given instructions to my police officers that anywhere a minor is found on the street at night after nine p.m.; that minor will be detained and taken to the police station. He will be kept in custody and the next day morning, the parent will have to come for the child.”

Duane Moody

“So basically a curfew?”

ACP Chester Williams

“Well if you want to call it that, you can call it that. The parent will have to come to the child. If the parent does not come for the child, we are going to take the matter to social and we are going to see how we can deal with some of these parents for neglecting their children, having them on the streets late at night without any supervision.”

Reporter

“In terms of it being a policy, shouldn’t there be or can you just decide that the police is going to do that? Shouldn’t there be much more needed to be done?”

ACP Chester Williams

“The longer we take, the more the streets will be bleeding. We need to bring an end to the violence on the street and that is one way that I believe that we can assist our law-abiding citizens to feel free and safe in our community.”

Reporter

“I’m talking in terms of the policy; it doesn’t need an SI or any such thing, but in terms of such saying…because it is a curfew.”

ACP Chester Williams

“Umm…I do not think that we need to give parents warning as to how to take care of their children. That dah something that they should know from day one. There is no need to give a parent warning as to how to take care of their child.”