Police receive 12 bikes for new initiative

Belize City police will no longer work their beats solely on foot as they’ve stepped up their patrols to include two wheels. It’s all part of a new initiative called precinct policing. Today News Five spoke with officer commanding Eastern Division, Assistant Superintendent Allen Whylie, at the handing over ceremony.

Asst. ComPol Allen Whylie, O.C., Eastern Division
“There will be four precincts created where each of those precincts will have their own complement of officers to do beat patrol duties, mobile patrols, traffic duties, C.I.B. and Special Branch. So those precincts will be self contained. They’ll be able to deliver all levels of policing service.”

Ann-Marie Williams
“So do I take it that each precinct will be receiving three bicycles?”

Allen Whylie
“At this time, yes. We’re still in need of another dozen bicycles because the intent is to have at least between four to six officers on bicycle patrol in the various precincts. Each precinct will be given geographic areas that they’re responsible for and we have created the precincts along the existing electoral divisions within Belize City as well as the existing substations that we have.”

Precinct one will be headquartered at the Plues Street and Mesopotamia substations and will serve residents of Queen’s Square, Mesopotamia and Albert. Precinct two will operate from the Raccoon Street Police Station and will serve the Lake I, Collet, and Port Loyola constituencies. Fort George and Freetown residents will be served by precinct three, located at the Patrol Branch on Queen Street while precinct four, at the Caribbean Shores Police Station will be available to those who live in Caribbean Shores, Pickstock and Belama. The twelve bicycles were donated by Benny’s, Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael and an anonymous donor.