Minister Saldivar Says Ankle Monitors Help Curb Crime
John Saldivar
Minister Saldivar spoke with the press following his presentation. He says that while there may be concerns about the use of the tracking devices, they are making sure that the committee looks at all aspects of this newly proposed initiative before they consider its implementation. He says, however, that he has seen this method used to help curb crimes in different parts of the world – so he believes it will withstand public scrutiny.
John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
“As the name of the committee says, it is an exploratory committee to look at the best practices across the world, in other regions and institutions that have applied it. We are going to look on the feasibility of doing it here in Belize both from a technical standpoint in terms of the equipment and also from a legal standpoint and also from a policing standpoint. So, this committee will look at all of that including the cost for such an initiative. They will give me a report in sixty days after we will make a decision if we want to move forward with it or not.”
Reporter
“Are you looking at people who would be on parole or people who would receive bail from the courts? Who are your primary targets for this?”
John Saldivar
“Well, as we have said in the release, we are looking for repeat offenders; we are looking for dangerous criminals that have done violent crimes, gun crime and also gang crimes. So, we will be looking at a wide cross-section that will help us keep the crime situation under control.”
Reporter
“That does require responding to people who are referring to human rights if you are looking at people who are repeat offenders, they may not necessarily come under a category that require constant monitoring?”
John Saldivar
“Well, the world’s greatest democracies have used it and so I believe that it can withstand the scrutiny with respect to constitutionality.”
As you heard in the interview, the exploratory committee will present a feasibility review in the next two months.
