Tips to stay safe this Christmas

Sr. Supt. Bart Jones

This Yuletide season, Belizeans are taking to the streets en masse to complete their seasonal shopping ahead of Christmas Day.  While you will be out in the hustle and bustle of last-minute preparations, the Belize Police Department will be working overtime to secure your neighborhoods.  But there’s also a request being made for residents to exercise certain measures when visiting the downtown areas of cities and towns.  Senior Superintendent Bart Jones shares a few tips that are sure to go a long way in the days ahead.

Sr. Supt. Bart Jones, Media Relations Unit

“The police across the country have started their anti-crime efforts, that means there will be more boots on the ground across the country, particularly the major towns and the two cities.  As well, we want to send out some, as a I said before, some preventative tips.  We know that at this time many persons would be shopping or looking to do their shopping, so when you go out there, going to the stores, we implore on persons, although there will be police officers out there, you go to the stores, don’t be taking out large bundles of cash because you never know who will be watching.  If you go to the ATMs, ensure that you check your surroundings, particularly when exiting the ATMs.  Again, because we think that criminals take the opportunity [to prey] on the most weak and vulnerable victims.  Equally, while we are shopping, we ask that we don’t keep any valuables in vehicles, particularly laptops.  If you are going shopping, laptops, flat screen TVs that you might have purchased and leave it in the car and go to another store, it only takes a few minutes for someone to break into your car and remove those items.  As well, don’t take the chance of parking in front of store and say that I’m just rushing in there for two minutes, leaving your engine on because you might come out and find your vehicle filled with all your goodies that you would have bought gone.”