ComPol Urges the Public in the South to Cooperate with Authorities

As his deputy was in the south, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was in Belmopan where he spoke about the growing gang-related violence in Punta Gorda. He says that that the department will do everything within its power to curb this issue because if they don’t act fast and consistently, it will be hard to contain. According to ComPol Williams, the department is offering full support to the established operations in the south. He also urged the public, particularly in Punta Gorda and Mango Creek, to cooperate with the authorities to address the violence in the south.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We know that the issues of gang involvement in criminal activities in the south seems to be picking up speed and it may have reached a stage where containing it may be difficult for it to be done with just the input of the officers of the southern area. So, from the police headquarters level, using our specialized units we are down on the ground and we will be hunting down these persons who are involved and we intend to catch them. Most importantly, we want to see how we build cases on them so that they can be charged and put away. I want to say to the residents of Punta Gorda, as well as Mango Creek, that these criminals who would left from Belize City and go to either Dangriga or Independence. They will only feel as comfortable among you to the extent that you make them feel comfortable. If it is that these people are not welcome within your community, then you have a responsibility to let them understand that they are not going to be welcomed among you. I know that sharing of information with the police at times may seem difficult because of fear of retribution. But there are ways by which you can share information and information shared will be kept strictly confidential. We just want the information for action.”