Media Rejoins Police for Meet and Greet

It has been a while since the media was invited to cover a meet and greet session in Belize City.  But this afternoon, our cameras were once again recording, as three of law enforcement’s top commanders visited residents of the embattled Tibruce Street neighborhood.  The area has been plagued by homicidal mayhem during the past two weeks, which has seen three women slain in savage acts of gun violence.  The effort by Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is to return the vicinity to sense of normalcy.  That includes pairing police officers with Belize Defense Force personnel to patrol the community as often as their shift allows.  Today, Williams told us what residents can expect from the police department.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Deputy Commissioner of Police

“What we are doing today is to do meet and greet in the Tibruce Street area, while using the same opportunity to introduce them to the residents of Tibruce Street and let them know that these two gentlemen will now be in Belize City and will be looking after their security.  Yes, as Commander of Operations, I do have significant interest in ensuring that crime is reduced not only in Belize City but across the country.  But for right now, Belize City is our number one priority.”

Isani Cayetano

“This particular neighborhood has been under siege for the better part of two weeks.  What assurances are being given by members of the department, yourself included, that things will return to a sense of normalcy in this neighborhood?”

Chester Williams

“Well what we have done so far is that we have looked at reconfiguring our operation strategy and look at the entire south side and to see what areas are more urgent in terms of our presence to ensure that crime and violence is reduced.  And if you would see that we now have the presence of a police and two BDF on Tibruce Street and that will continue until we are satisfied that the area is safe for the residents to be able to traverse in and out of this place.”

Isani Cayetano

“The indications that we’ve received in the media that what has been taking place here is the result of some kind of a feud between individuals who are familiar with each other.  Has the department, or its members, reached out to the two families who are directly affected by what is taking place here?”

Chester Williams

“Well to the families who are affected at this time, no.  And the simple reason being that we are trying to see how we can investigate the incidents properly and deal with those persons who need to be dealt with and after that then we will see how we can try to set up some sort of mediation or intervention between those who are not too involved in what had occurred.”