Belize Police Department Assures Public Safety This Carnival Weekend.

In the aftermath of last evening’s shooting that marred the final leg of the carnival mas camp, residents took to social media to express concerns about citizen security heading into the festive weekend.  This afternoon, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams gave assurances that the Belize Police Department will be out in full force on Saturday to safeguard onlookers, as well as revelers during the Carnival Road March.  According to ComPol Williams, the young men who were involved in Ramirez’s shooting on Tuesday were not part of the group that was released following the recent state of emergency.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“It’s a cause for concern, particularly for those who are carnival enthusiasts.  I have seen some of the information on social media that some people are saying that they are not going to carnival again and that sort of thing and people certainly will feel a way.  But I want to assure the public that the police will be in full readiness and in full force on carnival day which is this coming Saturday to ensure the safety of all those persons who will either participate or be onlookers of the carnival parade. These persons who were involved in that incident last night were not persons who were involved in the state of emergency.  Prior to those persons being released yesterday, there was a meeting held with them by the [Leadership Intervention Unit] LIU and the different agencies, including police, just to make sure that they were in a state of readiness to be released back into the public and we are optimistic that they are going to hold their corner, at least for now, and I had said to the officer who attended the meeting with them to convey my message to them, that even though they are being released now, if it is that they would want to start their foolishness again, I would be more than happy to go back to the minister and the prime minister and request that they be sent back to prison.”