ComPol Chester Williams Says Demonstrations are Getting Frustrating

Chester Williams

Did the industrial action carried out by teachers today catch the Belize Police Department by surprise or were they prepared?  The images from across the country show that in most of the areas where the blockades were set up, there was heavy police presence.  ComPol Chester Williams says that while the officers are exercising restraint, the demonstrations are getting frustrating.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We were aware of this from yesterday evening. As you know the teachers met and they voted on whether or not they accept the government’s proposal for the ten percent salary cut. And based on that, we were informed that the teachers rejected the proposal and decided that they were going to continue their industrial action. One of such activity was to have the road blockages this morning. We will continue to see how we can tiptoe or exercise restrain with these demonstrations, but I will say that it is very frustrating because at the end of the day, whatever it is that they are doing with these road blockages, it is creating significant inconvenience to the broader public. People who have to get to work by a certain time, people who need to go to the airport, people who need to go to the hospital – so it is causing inconvenience to people. And the citizenry is getting frustrated with it as well. So I would hope that the teachers are going to rethink this position. It is counterproductive and it is getting people frustrated and eventually, we will have to be not too hands-off and do what needs to be done to ensure that the highways are clear. May I also remind the teachers that blocking the highway is an offense. It is obstructing the free flow of traffic. And while yes we have been very patient and we have exercised restraint, when the public gets too frustrated, then we will have to ensure that something is done to allow traffic to flow and get people to where they need to get within a reasonable time.”