Murder Count is Even, but ComPol Promises Reduction in 2018
Allen Whylie
With only nine days to go in 2017, crime statistics for the past twelve months indicate that there are equal numbers of homicides recorded between this year and 2016. That figure stands at one hundred and thirty-eight murders. The paring down of the body count in Belize City can be attributed to effective crime fighting strategies, including Operation ACT which was rolled out in three south side neighborhoods at the end of October. Notwithstanding the reduction in killings, serious crimes are up in other categories. The number of robberies reported in 2017 has increased by as many as thirteen. Perhaps the greatest reduction is in the area of theft which has seen a significant decrease since last year. As we wind down 2017, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie breaks down majors crimes by the numbers.
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
“In terms of national crime statistics in regards to major crimes, it shows that at December 18th, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, we have had one hundred and thirty-eight cases of murders reported currently and in 2016, we also had one hundred and thirty-eight murders reported for the entire year. Rape – we’ve had twenty-two incidents recorded in 2017 versus twenty-three in 2016. So rapes recorded are down by one incident or four point three percent. Robbery – we’ve had two hundred and forty-five reports in 2017, versus two hundred and thirty-two. It is up by thirteen incidents, or five point six percent. Burglary – we’ve had seven hundred and thirty-two incidents reported, versus eight hundred that were reported in 2016. So burglaries are down by sixty-eight incidents or eight point five percent. Theft – we’ve had seven hundred and thirty-two incidents recorded in 2017, versus eight hundred and fifty-seven recorded in 2016. So thefts are down by one hundred and twenty-five incidents or by fourteen point six percent. Unlawful sexual intercourse – we’ve had fifty-five cases reported in 2017, versus eighty-seven cases recorded in 2016. So unlawful sexual intercourse cases are down by thirty-two incidents or thirty-six point eight percent. Cumulatively, the statistics show that in 2017, a total of one thousand, nine hundred and twenty-four major incidents were recorded, compared to two thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven in 2016, a reduction of two hundred and thirteen incidents or ten percent as of December 18th, 2017. These figures are subject to change at year’s end.”
