Should anti-crime measures be addressed before awareness campaign?
Restore Belize was launched back in May as the government’s initiative to rein in crime. It is a complex and multi-faceted approach. In the meantime, however, the murders and other forms of violence have continued to spiral out of control. Earlier today, “I am Belize” the theme song for Restore Belize was launched as part of the awareness campaign of the initiative. We ask tonight: Do you think the anti-crime measures of Restore Belize should have been addressed before the awareness campaign? Get involved by emailing your comments and responses to questions@channel5belize.com or by sending a text, using SMART phones only, to 8686. You can also participate in our online poll at www.channel5belize.com.
Of course the anti-crime measures should have been addressed before launching this type of awareness campaign. This campaign could have easily complimented the anti-crime measures, but because it lacks real substance (basically a logo and a song) I’m confident it will have minimal impact and be rather ineffective in achieving its goals. The change must be holistic and it needs to come from within the Police Department, that is the only way there will be “buy in” from Belizeans. To date, we have not seen that there are significant strides to improve how the PD works or how they interact with the public. Their public image continues to deteriorate, and launching a flashy attempt at improving their brand is futile in light of this fact.
I believe that the awareness campaign is an excellent way of starting hard work especially through music since it will capture the attention of the youths. Anti-crime measures will take time to draft up so the awareness campaign is a good way of “selling” the Restore Belize initiative to the populace.
It would be nice if they open up for ideas from the public which would make it easier to get the ball rolling. Thereafter, the best initiatives can be adopted to carry them through.