Area Rep Andre Perez Discusses Citizen Security in San Pedro

Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez has kept a low profile since finding himself at the center of a sex scandal a few months ago. The public outrage that ensued sidelined him from his ministerial responsibilities in Cabinet, but it hasn’t stopped him from reaching out to his constituents in the wake of the deadly attack in San Pedro. This morning, he met with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, as well as other ranking officers of the Belize Police Department, to discuss the issue of citizen security. Following his discussion with the top cop and his brass, we were able to have a word with him. He began by sharing his dismay at what happened that resulted in the callous murders of the toddler and two adults.

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

Andre Perez

“It’s more than alarming, my brother, it’s something that gives cause for concern.  As it relates to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, things have been pretty much quiet, commending the job of the police department and doing a good job with that because we haven’t had any kinds of major crimes as such.  Petty crimes and all of these things are always occurring.  So whenever it occurs and this kind of criminal behavior rears its ugly head and then to include such, for children to be dying so violently, it says a lot , it’s not good for our island.  So for us to put a blind eye to say, you know, it’s an isolated case, it’s impossible to say, but we do have a major problem as it relates to the criminal underworld that is here.  So that is why I am here to just speak with the Commissioner [of Police] who is here visiting.  But it is important as the area rep that we keep in contact, we work, the collaborative effort that is important because the police department alone cannot do it.  And that is why I was commenting just now to the commissioner that from our department as well, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve that has the resources in terms of the boats and the patrolling, we remain committed and continue to do so and that is important as part of the efforts of the community, including reaching out to the coastguard as well because as you all know, it all boils down to up north, the people that you call playadores, you know.  It’s a major issue across the entire region.  Right here, the western coast, the entire peninsula, the Yucatan Peninsula which Ambergris Caye happens to be part of that.  We do have a base up north with the coastguard and indeed, they need a boat there, so we’re discussing that as well.  We’re reaching out to the coastguard and the ministry that we will need some kind of support from that angle.”