Police, irate residents face off in Belize City
An acute crime wave, like the one being experienced by Belize City and other urban areas, at some point will prompt an equally acute official response. That happened this morning when law enforcement officers were out in force. When our news team caught up with them during a raid on one southside neighbourhood…the reception was as inclement as the weather.
(Residents making noise outside the house)
Police Officer inside the home
“Wait on the street, just wait on the street.”
Crispin Jeffries, O.C. Eastern Division
“I’m not afraid of the camera you know. We are doing our police work okay. Just leave the area.”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
When News Five arrived on Supal Street the police were already on the scene along with a number of irate residents on the street. The people were complaining that the police constantly harass them.
Bernadette Whyte, Resident
“It’s not fair what they are doing. There is a lot of crimes out there, why are the harassing the boys on Supal Street? Not because the boys are bad. They had my son in there and when I went in and asked the police what they had my son for, Jeffries will look at me and tell me that I must come out.”
The police were in the neighbourhood as part of special operation that was launched as a result of the recent violent crime spree in the city. Sources tell News Five the police are looking for weapons they suspect have been used in a number of robberies. However, this was no consolation to the residents who say the police use unnecessary force to get the job done.
Evalee Cadle, Resident
“I sight the police and they just came in, ran past me and ask me if I lived there because they want to search the house.”
Jacqueline Woods
“You don’t know what they were searching the house for?”
Evalee Cadle
I didn’t know what they were searching the house for, until they finished their search.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What did they tell you?”
Evalee Cadle
“They said that they were searching for a nine millimetre.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Which was used in a recent robbery?”
Evalee Cadle
“No, I don’t know anything about a nine millimetre in my house.”
Marian Alvarez Plunkett, Resident
“I have a son that the police are harassing. I am not swearing, because you can’t say that your kids don’t do this. But why are they stressing out my son? Now my daughter just came from New York for my son’s funeral and they arrested her and took her to the station. I don’t have any idea. I don’t believe in thefts and I don’t encourage my children to steal, but I am really getting tired of the police coming every time and searching my house. I told them “Officers, go through.” I have nothing to say if they come and search my house. I know I’m clean, so I don’t worry about who wants to search my house. Now I am on my job, do you think it’s a joke to leave your job and come out here and meet all this scandal out here.”
Although the police did not find anything at number 3168 Supal Street, they nevertheless detained Keon Williams and Edward Westby for questioning. This afternoon the police were again back in the neighbourhood. This time searching the home of Sonia Harris. Harris says on Sunday her son, Ken Skeet was picked up by police in connection with another recent robbery and then released. Harris, who was not pleased at the police presence in her yard says the police are only back to pressure her son who she claims is innocent.
Sonia Harris, Mother
“They bust in the yard and I’m standing right by the door. The “Dragons” they came, as they call themselves. They came in the house here and they told me to leave. I refused to leave, I told them “My son is in there sleeping, why are you bothering my son?” The officer wanted to put handcuffs on me and I told them that they couldn’t put any handcuffs on me. Right here, he scratched me up because I refused to let them handcuff me for nothing. So they took me to the station and they locked me down.”
However, this time the police search was not in vain. Hidden inside Skeet’s room was a loaded thirty-eight special.
Crispin Jeffries
“We have this firearm that was found on the premises. This lady and this gentleman saw us recover it from under the floor of the apartment owned by Ken Skeet. Ken Skeet will be questioned.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Do you believe this weapon was used in any recent robbery?”
Crispin Jeffries
“No, I wouldn’t be able to tell you that until we further examine it. Obviously it was not being used recently. It is very messy.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Was this the result of this morning’s special operation?”
Crispin Jeffries
“It is a part of it. There are a number of other exercises we are doing at this moment around the city because we are seeing a number of robberies and we are trying to get the guns off the street. So we have recovered one and we have information about others that we’ll be working on.”
Skeet was once again detained and taken into custody for questioning. Meanwhile the police say the special operation continues and they will stop until those who commit violent crimes are brought to justice.
Police did not provide specifics on exactly which crimes were being investigated and how they were related to the search of specific houses.
