Police offer tips to keep safe for Christmas
The Christmas season is a time of joy for families. It is the time of year when many businesses have a surge in sales. Unfortunately it is also the time of year when robbers go on a rampage invading homes, businesses and prey on unsuspecting victims. News 5 Jose Sanchez today spoke to those charged with keeping the streets and our homes free from crime, to find out what they are doing to keep you safe this Christmas.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
There has been a notable increase in reported burglaries during this Christmas season. Not only homes have been broken into, but schools and at least one major commercial bank lost an entire safe in a weekend burglary. Senior Superintendent of C.I.B. Julio Valdez says that despite the increase, the police department has stepped up its patrols to prevent crime.
Superintendent Julio Valdez, O.C. CIB
“During the Christmas season we step up our what we call anti-crime campaign. This year we started earlier so from the fifteenth of November we stepped up our anti-crime campaign and that will continue up until the fifteenth of January.”
Jose Sanchez
“We are having a string of home invasions, burglaries, including Atlantic Bank to even to Saint John Vianney, a school. What will you be doing about that now?”
Supt. Julio Valdez
“I am aware of that, as you speak, even if we have an increase of burglaries reported, home invasions and that also we are looking into. Matters are under investigation, presently we are very seriously looking into that matter. We are aware of some suspects and we are bringing them in one by one. As a matter of fact, we have some suspects in custody right now.”
Some of the people who lost jewelry have recovered their property after locating them on sale in pawn shops. Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo believe that there should be legislation to closely govern pawn shops.
Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“There are police at present looking at what kind of legislation we could put forward to be able to do that kind of check on pawn shops. However I’d like to say that even before pawn shops, a lot of the articles are stolen. There is somebody out there in the public who is a willing buyer. They call it deals but you know its buying stolen goods. There has been a market out in the Belize community for ages but the pawn shops are the modern jewellery collectors for sale so we have to look at them too. But the wider community also has a responsibility not to buy stolen goods.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you doing anything in working with pawn shops to make sure the goods they sell aren’t stolen?”
Supt. Julio Valdez
“Yes that is presently being followed up. We have found some jewellery at the pawn shops. We don’t’ have any problems with the pawn shops because when they know that the goods have been identified as stolen property they hand it over back to us, as it is identified by the owners.”
Douglas Hyde of the Community Policing Unit had some tips on how you can avoid being a target for Christmas robbers.
Douglas Hyde, Youth Program Coord., Community Policing Unit
“Try to be more cautious of yourself rather than put yourself in danger. The crooks or the robbers are looking at you, they are monitoring you. They are making sure that they monitor and profile you from head to toe. So what you need to do change that way, if you use a lot of jewelry use less. If you like to walk around with a lot of money then use less in your pocket and stuff.”
Supt. Julio Valdez
“We are asking people who are at home and who are wearing jewelry to take necessary precaution. Don’t open the door to anyone who knocks. Don’t open the door you make sure who is out there.”
Despite all the advice, the only one who can make sure you are safe at Christmas time is you. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
Valdez believes that the home invasions occurring in the Belama area are being committed by the same criminals.
