Police Keeping the Peace in Orange Walk amidst Tensions between B.S.I. and B.S.C.F.A.

There was a heavy police and military presence on the ground in Orange Walk on Thursday, while members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association protested through the principal streets. Fortunately, there were no incidents and police remain vigilant. Today Commissioner of Police Chester Williams responded to assertions that the department is in favor of the Belize Sugar Industry Limited. This morning, ComPol Williams refuted those claims, stating that the officers were simply there to make sure that other farmers who wanted to deliver cane were able to do so without interruption.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“What transferred yesterday was the demonstration by the BSCFA and we just do what we needed to do in terms of policing the event. And I know that some people were saying that the police were siding with the factory because we do have police officers at every entrance to the factory, as well as on the highways. But again, we are not there to side with the factory, neither are we there to side with the cane farmers. We are there to uphold law and order. And, as much as, yes, you have the. B. S. C. F. A. who is aggrieved and have said that they’re not going to deliver cane to the factory. They cannot deprive the other associations who may wish to deliver cane to the factory from doing so. And so we’re just there to facilitate those other cane farmers who may wish to deliver their product for them to do so in an environment that is free from obstruction. So, one, we are doing our best to ensure that there is no blockage to the factory. And two, to ensure that there is no blockage on the highways. I am grateful for the support of the members of the association. We have been in communication with them and they are very cooperative with the police. They have not applied for a permit to demonstrate today. But I’m hearing that they may wish to do so. The law is that you must give the police thirty six hours notice of your intent to demonstrate. In this instance, there certainly will not be thirty six hours, there is not going to not even be twenty four hours notice. But in the interest of good spirit, if they were to come in and apply for their permit, we will grant them the permit to demonstrate. And we’ll just do what needs to be done to ensure that we police the event. And again, hope we have a day like yesterday where nothing of significance occurs.”