Cops: community silence hampers crime solving
As Belizeans grapple with the realisation that the streets are soaked in blood almost everyday, the rapidly deteriorating crime situation has created a community of a silence, who find solace and a sense of security behind burglar bars. Though understandable, this frustrating scenario has hampered several police investigations, such as the murder of security guard Bilee Ogee King. King was shot and killed in the midst of holiday shopping late last December and yet not one eyewitness has come forward. Today, Police Public Relations Officer G. Michael Reid told News 5 the community has to help them bring the criminals to justice.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The murder of nine people since January has put the police on high alert and left the community feeling extremely vulnerable about their safety. The men and women who risk their lives to maintain law and order have been working overtime to apprehend suspects and restore peace in the city’s neighbourhoods. While the police have been making some progress, Police Public Relations Officer, G. Michael Reid says they are calling upon the general public to help them combat crime.
G. Michael Reid, P.R. Officer, Police Dept.
“There are some folks who are helping the police, but we believe the community can do more to assist the police in solving many of the crimes that occur. For the most part, we believe that the community is afraid and the criminals are feeding upon this fear.”
One man the police have been looking for is twenty-six year old Jermaine Fuentes. Fuentes is wanted in connection with the murders of Mark Ireland, Anthony “Trigga” Adderley and the attempted murder of Joel Waight.
G. Michael Reid
“We are still looking for him and we’re asking the community to assist us. If anybody knows the whereabouts of this fugitive, please contact your nearest police station, and we’d like to remind the community out there that it is a serious offence to harbour a fugitive.”
On a positive note, the police say they are close to cracking the case of the latest murder in Belize City. Four persons have been detained for the murder of sixty-three year old Phillip Chin. Two young women and two young men have been held for questioning.
Police strongly suspect that one of the women knew Chin and allegedly stole his weapon sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning from his house. It is still not certain if the well-known businessman was then later abducted from his house, but police believe he was killed with his own gun sometime later that night. His body dumped by mile twenty-five on the Northern Highway. Chin’s vehicle was later found abandoned on the Old Northern Highway. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
News 5 understands that two weeks ago several persons entered Chin’s house in an attempt to rob him. But it is reported Chin fought them off. We could not confirm whether the detainees are the same persons that were involved in that incident. Meanwhile, as police continue to investigate the other murder cases, Reid admitted that the fuel problem the department has had to deal with has created some difficulties, however, we understand the situation is being addressed.
