Time for Action on Crime

Dean Barrow

The Barrow administration has been fairly quiet on the relentless issue of crime and violence that has been plaguing Belize City.  The Belize Police Department has rolled out its two-year national crime fighting strategy; however, government had been noticeably silent on the matter even while four children were injured and killed going into the municipal elections.  Today, PM Barrow broke that silence by admitting that the issue of crime and violence is a national concern that is yet to be holistically addressed with action.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“This, unfortunately, is a cultural thing that so far has defeated all of us.  It has been beyond all of us.  As we try to retool and as we try to wheel and come again, it is my view and I have the sense that it is a view shared by colleagues in Cabinet, that a holistic deployment of efforts apart, when you begin to concentrate on the police, there’s got to be more of an effort made to involve the community.  I’m careful I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to appear to be criticizing any particular police officer.  I am happy to criticize some of the stratagems, so let me just say that the notion that this thing can be solved solely on the basis of hard-charging, the police going full tilt at the supposed criminals, in my view is passé.  There has got to be a mix, a mix that will involve the community or communities in these neighborhoods in a real way and that can’t happen if these very communities see the police as enemies, rather than as those who are doing the job they were sworn to in terms of to protect and serve.  Long answer but I think it necessary to speak at some length on it, especially since you said we have been silent for a while.  And I promise you that the long answer and the words will be followed by action.”