Five days of jaguar prowling the city streets for crime
It was launched as an initiative to combat crime and restore confidence in the deadly neighborhoods of Belize City, and according to the security forces, Operation Jaguar has had some measure of success in its first five days. While no high powered weapons have been removed to make the streets safer, no major crimes have been reported this week. News Five’s Delahnie Bain has a report on what the mission has accomplished.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
Operation Jaguar is in its fifth day and its showing some effect on the crime. Today the men in charge of the operation from both the Police Department and the Belize Defence Force updated the media on their progress.
ACP Elodio Aragon Jr., In Charge of Mgmt Services, Belize Police Dept
ACP Elodio Aragon Jr.
“The ongoing Jaguar Operation has seen over six hundred and twenty-one persons stopped and searched, twenty-five houses searched, over a hundred and five vehicles seized and has made seven arrests and seized two kilos of suspected cocaine, a total of seven point one grams of crack cocaine and nine hundred and ninety-five point seven grams of cannabis. Furthermore, since the inception of the operation, we have seen a substantial decrease of gun related violence.”
Lt. Col. David Jones, B.D.F. Bomb Expert
“We’re looking at the major crimes like murders, gun related incidents. So far, since the operation has started we’ve had no injuries that has been related to gun violence and that is our main objective; to reduce murders, high criminal activity that is gun related within the high crime area in Belize City.”
So how does the BDF factor into the operation in the field?
Lt. Col. David Jones
“They are sworn in as Special Constables, but they haven’t had the training as special constables. Our soldiers do have training in internal security and working in urban operations. But when it comes to arrests that will take place, that will be under the guidance of the police department. They are there to support in the eventuality that something happens to a policeman, a soldier is there that has been sworn in as a constable to deal with the issue.”
But having the B.D.F. soldiers on the police beat raises another question. Who’s doing the job of keeping the borders secure?
Lt. Col. David Jones
“These B.D.F. soldiers that are working on the streets have been drawn from different locations within the force. Because the B.D.F. is very flexible, we can move men from different places and still maintain our territorial integrity. So the primary function that we have to maintain our borders, we’re not taking any resources from there.”
While Operation Jaguar is showing potential of putting a dent on the number of crimes in the city’s hot spots, Lieutenant Colonel David says it is only a part of the national strategy.
Lt. Col. David Jones
“This operation that we’re on is not the solution to the crime situation in the country. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed as well. But we, as the security forces, are playing our part of what should be part of a national strategy. And that will be a part of a national strategy and that will be the responsibility of the National Security Council.”
Elodio Aragon Jr.
“Operation Jaguar will continue to bring to bear on the criminal element and we will continue to revise on our crime strategy and tactics as is necessary to ensure that we maintain the upper hand and restore the confidence, safety and security of Belize City residents.”
The National Security Council says it will sustain the operation—financially and otherwise—until it is no longer required. How that will be determined depends on the behavior of the criminals. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
This ,I think is in the right directon. For years the criminals had no opposition and were free to rome around. Take their cars, their bikes…. even their skateboards if they have any. way overdueis is this response. The citizens need to do their part as well. Communicate with the cops. Point out the bad eggs and get them taken off the streets. Belize is way too small to have a few thugs hold us hostage. AND MOST OF ALL.. KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO DO TO KEEP US SAFE.
I love it, Militarize! it’s the only way to deter crime, letting criminals know that there life is at stake if they choose to commit murder, I hope they continue these efforts.
It’s about time somebody step up and do something positive, to show the hard working people that is is safe to walk the street again.
Well said, Lt. Col. David Jones:
“This operation that we’re on is not the solution to the crime situation in the country. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed as well. But we, as the security forces, are playing our part of what should be part of a national strategy. And that will be a part of a national strategy and that will be the responsibility of the National Security Council.”
Thanks for doing your part.
please keep on doing whatever you all are doing so that our country can be safe again and we that are living abroad can come home and help make our country a better place for our self our children and gran dchildren and the beautiful people of belize god bless our beautiful belize thanks for a good first week keep on a good job
Good start! Keep it up!
i thing it is a good that you all doing
keep the good and thanks in advance hoping that this continues as along as we need it.
Lt Col. David Jones’ poignant statement on a “National Strategy” is a clear indication, to me, that in Belize we have people with the ability to to think and act effectively if given the mandate and political support.
This operation is but the tip of a very long spear; whom else can climb out of the bucket to driving the quest to wrest our Justice system from the corrupt players and their socio/psychopathic facilitators? How can we, the People, lend impetus to such an action?
Hey Govmt of Belize, how about letting us know what that National Strategy is?
My deepest thanks to Lt. Col. David Jones and Mr Elodio Aragon Jr for their leadership and efforts. To all the POLICE and Belize Defence Forces THANKS! Integrity, Fidelity, Belize!
At last something measures has been taken. Keep on doing the job for the betterment of our country.
Thanks for the operation. At least some lives were saved during the week.
Yes, it’s good to see effective measures being taken to end the crime…I agree with Leo, a lot of people lived longer, no news about any murders occurring….
Last week, here in the US, in New York City, some church officials and politicians got together to start a “CASH FOR GUN, NO QUESTIONS ASKED” campaign…It was effective in that many weapons were turned in….
Just a thought, that maybe the ppl in Belize can also make that happen in Belize City. Anything that can help eliminate or reduce the crimes is worth a try.
I am sure this is just false propaganda. The results are great but Officials will only be doing Operation Jaguar momentarily to keep citizens quiet and contented. After a while, as usual, Belizeans will put the gravity of the issue aside and Operation Jaguar will diminish until it completely disappears. I want to be proven wrong.
http://twitter.com/lrnzG
This is a very good thing. Put the bad guys away, and show them who really owns the streets.
The longer this goes on the better, crime no pay if the Military, and Police are out.
How different from us American soldiers here in the US.we dont walk the streets with weapons,