John Briceño outlines Opposition’s solution to crime
john Briceño
On Tuesday, Cabinet admitted that crime has reached crisis proportion and that the behavior of rogue cops had contributed to the loss of confidence in the police department. Opposition Leader John Briceño says that government is stating the obvious. Along with two ultimatums, Briceño gave some indication of what his party would do to address the issue of crime and violence.
Isani Cayetano
“The issue of crime and violence is not one that has become our reality overnight, it’s been long in the making. Chances are to solve it, it will be a few years ahead of us. If your party is to return to office in 2013, how do you propose dealing with this particular issue because it still will be around then?”
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“What has happened is that these, the whole issue of crime has gotten worse over the past two years because there’s been a lack of, as I said, a lack of proper leadership or proper attention at the highest levels in government and certainly the deterioration of our economy where the government has no economic plan. It has made things worse for all of us as a society. I am saying that once we get into government in 2013, we are going to tackle the issue of crime head on. We are going to come up with some new and innovative plans that will include not only ourselves but the opposition, the churches, the NGOs, the business community because this is an issue that can be addressed not only short term but also in the long term. It’s going to be a long term process for us to really change to turn things around.”
That was a politician giving a response that is classical in its form. He stated the obvious that this is a long existing issue! Chalk one for him. From then there were no other answers. There is no need for hints right now as crime will not be deterred by hints and will not make Belize safer! Let us get some concrete suggestions on possible solutions. And these will not be overnight solutions as this situation has been festering and percolating or whatever you want to call it.
One piece of the solution is to get rid of the Commissioner! Pay him off or negotiate with him, but get rid of him post haste. That is one way you will develop a little more confidence in the Police.
Second, prosecute the police who have been rogue and prosecute also the police who have been lax in their duties to ensure that they report on their fellow cops, none of that thin blue line crap! When they fail in their duties, be it willful or otherwise, they are aiding and abetting. This will increase goodwill with the general public.
Third, get a professional peace officer, who is Belizean and currently serving/living abroad. There are a number of Belizeans abroad who have worked at the highest level of law enforcement and am certain they would take the challenge of making home a better place. Someone whose loyalty is to the system rather than to particular persons. Give him/her a five year contract with the ability to form his team at the top. Of course do this after a full background check, including speaking with co-workers/supervisors. Let some objective people form a panel to do that, if we have objective people around!
The Leader of the Opposition has to be more specific about his plans for crime. I do agree that this will take a concerted effort by many stakeholders. I also believe that the UDP cannot lead this movement because they have created too many enemies in the society because of their narrow-minded pettiness and vindictiveness. So expect things to get worse before they get better. We need real change now!
No where in this story does Briceno “outine the opposition’s solution to crime”. He only makes a pledge to “come up with some new and innovative plans”. Easy to say stuff like that from the opposition side of the house. Please do not let your news organization be used by people looking to exploit tragedy for political advantage.
What he is talking is crap, after 10 years in power they did not do anything real effective to fight the crime situation. Their response was build bigger jails, impose stiffer penalties, put more police & soldiers on the streets, survailance cameras on the streets, amend the laws etc.etc. but nothing was done to address the root cause of this situation and worse to address it.
And now all of a sudden he would have some suggestions and ideas; the crime situation did not happen overnight. He talks about leadership skills, the talking on the streets is THAT is what he lacks, even within the PUP they qustions HIS leadership skills. So come on , the crime situation has to be addressed by the entire Community (society) and no singlt party or even the government can do something positive by itself. Straight like that!
…. But he has a point, as this government seems totally clueless, or is it that they don’t care, as they have their own agenda?
I no understand why the governments have to keep fighting each other down are they not here for the people. Crime is a big issue in Belize and keeps getting worse why dont they come up with a plan that will last through whichever party gets into power. Its sickening to see these politicians raping our beloved jewel and blaming each other ignoring the community that trusted them enough to put them there in the first place.
This is fluff – this bali is saying innovative plans. We want to hear the nitty gritty of those plans. He is shooting from the hip..
Man, this da noh wah political thing again, why wi have to wait till 2013 fu even try get wa solution to this ya specific problem?. Mr. Bricieno, I would more appreciate if you tell us the citizens of Belize that, you and the P.U.P party members are working along with th Barrow Administration to resolve this matter, instead of telling us that you will try to solve it in 2013. Right now our people are suffering and it’s hitting closer and closer to the political home. My condolences goes out to the Mayor & his family and to all those that have lost a loved one. Mek wi work together and try fix dis thing man. I can point my fingers at anyone, but this not the solution for this mess. Let us all be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem, wi done pass da stage already. We all should learn from others mistakes and try to fix dis ya problem quickly.
If we have to point fingers, let’s start with the most important complaints, to send both Party’s this message. (a) “We the citizens of Belize already know that our Judicial System is/has failed us, mek dem fix da part deh”. (b) Our Police Department is badly tainted which was caused by their own interior politics & favoritism. I believe in my heart that unfair promotions within the department brought down honest and devoted cops moral (No excuse, just facts). That need to be confronted immediately. Whether you’re the Prime Minister, a Cop, or a Crook, if you commit a crime, you must be arrested, charged, tried in court, and judged accordingly. Mek wi bring back RESPECT and LOVE, but GOD first ok. We di allow di devil fu control and destroy wiself an wi country.
what should we do about crime while we wait for Breceno and his party ?HAHA. iT IS A JOKE. I tell you all………protect yourselves. Do not depend on government and politicians.The communities need to tackle those criminals and wipe them off the map.Sounds radical? well.. it is.And that is the only solution. Ever hear in order to get something done you have to do it yourself? If a Robinhood came to Belize and took care of all the criminals…… what would the public say? What would the Politicians say? What would the churches say? What would YOU say? Know why things are the way they are? No one has balls. Stop putting back the same jokers back to run the country. SEVERE PUNISHMNET FOR SERIOUS CRIMES . Hunt those dogs down. Or pray and wait for help.
HOPE MR. JOHN CREAT MORE JOBS IN FREE ZONE
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