New police station marks anniversary of highway holdup
It was probably the lowest point in the history of Belizean law enforcement. A band of well armed desperados from across the border robbed scores of Belizeans, killed one, and then drove their pickup through the heart of Belize, passing the nation’s capital, crossing the Hawkesworth bridge and escaping into Guatemala…all without so much as a roadblock to slow their escape. This morning another crowd of Belizeans visited the site on the Hummingbird Highway, and News Five’s Janelle Chanona was there.
Janelle Chanona
Today, villagers of St. Margaret’s Village on the Hummingbird Highway proudly watched as their new police substation was officially opened. This tiny structure is the result of hard work by the villagers of St. Margaret’s, support from the business community and the Government of Belize. The presence of police officers here will not only serve to deter crime in the village but will also provide key back-up support to the rest of the district.
Jorge Espat, Minister of National
“It will be manned for now by members of the Dragon Unit and will be fully furnished. I think we’ve got to take seriously, the threats against our communities, particularly threats from criminals and often time, we do not appreciate our vulnerability. This is also strategically located from the nation’s capital and down south where again, we can provide checkpoints, greater security to the villagers, better coordination between police headquarters and the various police stations in this locality.”
Today, Espat speaks of vulnerability and the threats of criminals because the construction of this police sub-station is in direct response to a fatal incident that took place along this highway exactly two years ago. On May 2nd 1998, over 150 Belizeans were held hostage for several hours and robbed of their personal belongings. One young man, a volunteer member of the Belize Defence Force, 19-year-old Genario Che, was shot dead in front of a helpless crowd. The image of Belize being safe from terrorists was forever shattered. As part of today’s ceremonies, Minister of National Security Jorge Espat and members of the BDF paid tribute to Che. Mayor of Belmopan, Anthony Chanona and his family were among those on the highway that sunny Saturday two years ago. He was one of the driving forces pushing to have this substation become more than just a good idea.
Anthony Chanona, Mayor, Belmopan
“I felt very, as I say, with mixed emotions. It’s very emotional, especially at the site of the cross whenever I drive past it because I remember vividly what it was like. But I also see the flags and I see the presence of the police, the uniforms, and to see all the villagers that came out and I feel that hopefully, out of that tragic incident, good will come of it. And that the villagers will assist the police in informing them of any suspicious behaviour long before it blossoms into a next May 2nd deal.”
Janelle Chanona
“In May, the attack proved that our national security was perhaps not up to mark. Where is it now?”
Jorge Espat
“We have, with both the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Police Department, a written plan to respond to both natural disaster and tragedy such as the one on May 2nd and we’re constantly prepared for such a scenario like this and to respond. Of course, we’re hoping it never happens again but we much ensure we prevent it from happening and that’s why there is a need for us to coordinate with the various agencies. One of the strategies of the Ministry of the National Security is to work with the various agencies. And often times, we’ll work with the Customs Department, Immigration and Nationality Department, the Fisheries Department and the Belize Defense Force because I think too often we tend to fragment the resources of a small country like Belize.”
No arrests have ever been made in connection to the May 2nd hold-up and sadly, Commissioner of Police Hughington Williams says they are no closer to solving the case.
Hughington Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The perpetrators for the most part, are out of this country. While they may frequent our land from time to time, we’re not in a position to identify them as such. So, like I said, it’s still open and we’re hoping that one day, we’ll be able to tie up the loose ends.”
A wooden cross now stands on the very site where Genario Che was murdered. In part, it reads, “He died. Many lived.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
According to Minister of National Security Jorge Espat, on May 10th another police substation will be opened, this time in the community of Spanish Lookout. That police substation was also built with the cooperation of local citizens and is dedicated to kidnapped businessman, Menno Penner.
