ComPol links crime to societal problems

On Wednesday, the new Commissioner of Police, Crispin Jefferies, spoke to News Five about the alarming situation in regards to crime and violence, in particular what seems to be a spike in the number of homicides. Jefferies said that the department is challenged because the root causes of crime are also linked to societal issues. ComPol also provided the crime statistics for the last month.

Crispin Jeffries, Commissioner of Police
“Our crime statistics for the month of May, we’d lost control of certain crimes during the incidence of the swine flu when the free zone was closed, we had a spate of robberies and burglaries in that area. There have been some incidents also in the Belize District area but not to that alarming figure over the total figure for the previous month or the month of May last year. So when we compare those statistics the figures are small but it is the Corozal and the Cayo Districts that we saw increase. The matter of murder is alarming whenever it occurs and one would feel that things are escalating; things are getting out of handling. But when you look at the facts related to the incident, you will recognize that these are calculated acts, these are not random. They are separate and isolated from each other but they can in fact be categorized as coming out of a very violent community and set of person or persons who don’t want to be convicted in our courts. As a result of that they are targeting persons who can assist and that statement would definitely alarm people who are involved in the prosecution process but it is the reality of what is occurring and what we are attempting to address. Steps are being taken to counter that.”

Jeffries says the department’s needs human and financial resources, as well as training to control the crime situation.