B.C.C.I. helps police at checkpoint
They can sometimes be annoying, especially if you’re in a hurry and traffic gets backed up…but the presence of police checkpoints on our major highways is a high profile reassurance that authorities are serious about law enforcement. Today, the private sector, in a small way, expressed its appreciation for the effort. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
There are round-the-clock checkpoints established at three strategic locations around the country. These stations help to control traffic violations and crime. It’s not certain how many lives have been saved or crimes prevented as a result of the anti-crime initiative, but Police Commissioner Carmen Zetina says he has been encouraged by the reports coming from the checkpoints, which are located on the Northern Highway at the Boom Road junction, mile five on the Western Highway and in Santa Elena by the Corozal Free Zone.
Carmen Zetina, Commissioner of Police
“We have seen a lot of drunken drivers. Let me tell you that the over the past few days and weeks or so, we have had many successes in arresting people driving under the influence of alcohol.”
At each checkpoint, the police stop and search vehicles while motorists are asked to present the necessary documents. However, it will take more than just checkpoints to bring crime under control. Authorities have been encouraging public support in their ongoing campaign and have received important assistance from the business community. This morning, The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on behalf of the private sector, donated a police booth for the northern highway checkpoint. The booth was built by funds raised by B.C.C.I.’s Anti-Crime Committee.
Cynthia Awe, Chairperson, B.C.C.I. Anti-Crime Committee
“Well, I must say that because we launched this fund back in November and what we have collected to date is in excess of twenty thousand. And for that to have come from the community obviously tells you that they are interested in addressing this situation as we are. Unfortunately, I must say, the Chamber, we have not really been contacting our members in that fashion that I think we ought to be doing, and that’s one of the items that we address in our strategic workshop, that we need to be contacting our members more, getting their feelings, their inputs, because it’s only knowing their inputs that we’ll be able to address the situation. But then their commitment to the fund says a lot.”
Carmen Zetina
“Well you see, this is a big testimony of what is happening. It’s a matter of the police now and the community forging that relationship, that partnership. And what the Belize Chamber of Commerce has done, I think everybody must follow suit.”
Zetina says there has been a drastic reduction in the number of violent crimes, but they remain vigilant.
Carmen Zetina
“As you know, you can see that crime has drastically reduced in comparison to last year at the same time. When you compare the month of March in 2002, there has been a drastic reduction in crime. Crime will happen, otherwise there isn’t any need for a police department. It will continue to happen, but those outright and violent crimes that used to take place, it doesn’t exist anymore. I’m trying to clamp down on those sort of crimes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“The police say they not only have plans to recruit five hundred more officers, but will continue to build substations and booths to fight crime countrywide. Reporting from the Northern Highway and Boom Road junction for News 5, I’m Jacqueline Woods.”
At this morning’s ceremony, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry also donated a bicycle. B.C.C.I. says they have plans to continue with the efforts by assisting police stations, especially in the rural areas, and honouring those officers who have carried out their responsibilities in an exemplary fashion.
