Security stepped up on Northern; Western Hwys.
As commuters and other drivers who frequent the Northern and Western Highways can tell you, this week getting outside of the city took a little longer than usual. Twenty-four hour checkpoints have been established on both major highways in an attempt to make the public feel safe. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports on the success of the operation so far.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Operation Saturation was launched on Thursday morning. The security checkpoints on the Northern and Western Highways are a direct result of the present increase in crime.
A.I.P. Dinsdale Thompson, Acting O.I.C., Traffic Branch
“We are seeing there is a great need for us continually have the citizens of Belize safe. And so that’s the reason why the Police Department has decided to launch Operation Saturation, so that we can keep the citizens of Belize not only feeling, but being safe on a whole.”
There are a number of law enforcement agencies involved in the operation. Members of the Police Department, armed BDF soldiers, and personnel from the Department of Traffic, Customs and Immigration take part in the vehicle searches.
Dinsdale Thompson
“One, the police deals with traffic offence in general. Personnel from immigration are dealing with people who are illegal in the nation, as to customs, they are dealing with vehicles such as stolen vehicles in the country on a whole.”
According to Assistant Inspector of Police, Dinsdale Thompson, who is the Acting Officer in Charge of Traffic Branch, although the operation is only two days old, the exercise has had positive results.
Dinsdale Thompson
“We have had a number of summons served, we have also had a number of other traffic offences, such as people driving without insurance, licence, et cetera. The personnel from the Department of Traffic have issued some sixty odd tickets. We also have personnel from immigration who have had a number of arrests pertaining to immigration violations.”
These check points are the only two in operation on a twenty-four hour basis. It is not certain how long the operation will last, but there are plans to put in place permanent security stations along the highways.
Dinsdale Thompson
“We have not had anything in writing as such, anything for sure, but there are plans that are in process at this time, to look at the possibility of making permanent road checkpoints on the highways.”
The operation has caused delays on the highways and the police are appealing to the general public for their support.
Dinsdale Thompson
“As a driver would come up to the checkpoint, they can pass over their driver’s documents, so that we have a continuous flow. As well, if you have any information about persons that are wanted et cetera, tell the police. There is no need for you to giver your name, just inform the police of any such type of information that you may have so that we have a safer Belize.”
Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
News 5 understands that so far the Traffic Department has issued no less than sixty tickets to drivers for various violations. At twenty-five dollars each, the checkpoints are turning into a significant revenue earner for the department.
