Cops to Come Down Tough on Night Clubs and Rum Shops!

Chester Williams

A new S.I. will come into effect as the country’s state of emergency ends. The Belize Police Department will be enforcing the measures that remain in place, such as the proper wearing of face masks and social distancing. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the press today that while they will be enforcing the law, they are going to be exercising their discretion in some instances because he recognizes the need for that. And although the curfew is hours away from being lifted , you will recall that on Monday the Attorney General reminded the public that you must move with a  purpose. Commissioner Chester Williams explains what that means during this new normal when the S.O.E. is lifted. He also took the opportunity to remind the public that the cops will be doing heavy policing to ensure that the law is followed.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Under the summary jurisdiction offences act, I think it is under section three, it speaks to a number of offences that we refer to as petty misdemeanors. One such offence is loitering, meaning that you cannot be a stationary in a public place without a purpose and if when you are asked to leave or move by the police you didn’t quietly do so, you commit an offence of loitering. There is also an offence of wandering abroad, being in a public place and have no means of subsisting or whatever, you also commit an offence. You know under the intoxicating liquor license act, you have the offence of public drinking which again we already seeing as it has picked up back across the country. People are hanging out in front of the store and drink all day or all night. These are issues that we must enforce and going forward we are going to be extremely tough particularly with the sale of alcohol and liquor establishments. If you are in a nightclub you must wear your mask. If you are dancing on the dance floor and want to kiss your partner, you lower mask quickly and give a lee kiss and pull it back up. You cannot be in the night club without a mask, you commit an offence. The police will be checking these nightclubs every night to ensure that people are in compliance.”