Indian Chamber of Commerce donates to police
With Christmas around the corner and an increase in crime anticipated, the Belize City Police today launched its first business watch program. And as it implies, officers from will be patrolling city streets throughout working hours in an effort to minimize threats to businesses that are potential targets for robbers and burglars. In its initial phase, the officers will be concentrated in downtown Belize City which is named Zone Four. To assist with the program, the Indian Chamber of Commerce has donated six motorcycles and ten handheld radios to facilitate officers with quick access through small alleys and driveways where criminal elements are bound to get away. National Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Gilbert Pitts, says that the launch is timely.
Gilbert Pitts, Coordinator, Nat’l Neighbourhood Watch
“We’ll be taking care of zone four and these officers will be placed at zone four and they will be stayed in that particular area. They will work during the business hours and they will be keeping watch on the business. The Indian Chamber of Commerce was very instrumental in helping us get this program together and they have donated some handheld radios—ten to be exact—and two motorcycles and this will help very much to circle within the business community and keep them protected, so to speak. These guys will be just concentrating on the business, especially like how its Christmas time right now, the crime rate is up and everybody is looking around. So they will concentrate only within the business area. The radios will enhance the communication skills because each member here has a radio and whatever they see, they can call in for backup, or they could apprehend, stop and search anything within the area of responsibility. This is an initiative of the community policing and community policing do everything to try to enhance the community and work within the community.”
Pitts says that the program will remain in place all year round and they have plans to expand to the north and south side Belize City.
