Belize Police Department Sets Record Straight on 2022 Crime Stats

Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa shared the most recent crime statistics with the media last Thursday during an assignment in Belmopan. He told reporters that the numbers of homicides in Belize District have decreased when compared to the same period in 2018.  But did he make a mistake with the figures that were presented.  Earlier today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was asked to comment on the stats that were shared by his political boss.  Here’s how he responded to the notion that the figures may have been erroneous.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Right now I don‘t have the stats on me so I cannot comment objectively on it.  The only crime I follow must are murders and the reason for that is because a life lost to me is a whole family that gets affected by it and myself and my team work tirelessly to try and avert murders from occurring.  And as far as I am aware, without the stats available, the murders are down compared to last year.  So I heard your director say that the minister should compare this year‘s stats to 2021.  Well I will compare 2021 murder stats to 2022 murder stats and the figures are down by more than ten which is like around sixteen to twenty percent reduction.  And he can fact check me on this too, but when it comes to the other major crimes, I will have to consult with JIC, (Joint Intelligence Center) to see where we are with it.”