During his tour of municipalities for the recent municipal elections, Briceño spent much time in Belize City touring homes and speaking to residents. But his deputy, Cordel Hyde, has been a City resident all his life and presides over the division where a majority of this weekend’s killings took place. Hyde told us that some […]
The call to address crime has become a plank of the P.U.P.’s public statements, but even Briceño admits it seems to be falling on deaf ears. Beyond an initial acknowledgment from Prime Minister Dean Barrow, little has been done by Government to reach out and partisan rhetoric has been the order of the day. Nonetheless, […]
Precisely what is the intent of Section eighteen of the Constitution, cited by Prime Minister Dean Barrow as the basis for the latest measures against crime? It provides for the handling of states of emergency, defined as any time in which Belize is at war, or any proclamation by the Governor General or the National […]
On Sunday afternoon, following a twenty-four-hour period of wanton bloodshed in Belize City, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced a reshuffling of Cabinet to allow for a new crime fighting strategy to be implemented. The streamlining of the portfolios for defense and home affairs, to become once again the Ministry of National Security, sees John Saldivar […]
The Belize National Teachers Union today spoke about the new Ministry of National Security. The union says it is not happy with the appointment of John Saldivar. The B.N.T.U. says there has not been a full discussion on the matter – but preliminary feedback indicates that the membership is not satisfied because of Saldivar’s performance […]
The B.N.T.U. will take to Belmopan on Thursday to hold a rally in light of the abuse and violence against children and women. According to President Elena Smith, the B.N.T.U. has written to the Ministry of Education to call off classes on Thursday, but they have not yet received a response. Chief Education Officer Doctor […]
Since the announcement of the rally, there have been a number of memos issued to teachers. Those memos say that those who do not show up to teach on Thursday will not receive the day’s pay. Smith says the managing authorities have the responsibility to inform the teachers of what the possible consequences may be, […]
A study has been undertaken to find out how mangrove cover has changed in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site and across Belize between 1980 and 2017. After three months, the researchers presented their findings today. There is some good news to celebrate – within the Barrier Reef Reserve System, there has […]
Child Stimulation Month activities continue with the annual Early Childhood Education Expo. The Ministry of Education during this month is encouraging parents of children between the ages of newborn and eight years to take some time to play and explore with their children. There was plenty of that on display at the B.T.L. Park on […]
There is another crisis on the government’s hand, for which urgent action is required. An emergency meeting was held on Friday night of the board of governors of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. This is after debris started falling from the ceiling in certain sections of the hospital. In fact, patients had to be moved […]
The People’s United Party this afternoon condemned the Government saying the neglect of the K.H.M.H. is unacceptable. The P.U.P. states that between the period 2008 and 2014, the condition of the roof at the K.H.M.H. had been documented in the minutes of many Board meetings and that the Ministry of Health had been kept apprised […]
In the wake of the weekend carnage, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called a rare weekend press conference at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Sunday afternoon, while residents of Belize City were still reeling from the bloodbath. This followed an emergency Sunday morning meeting with key members of the cabinet and security forces to determine next […]
Last week’s brush with the law left a nasty taste in the mouth for avocado vendor Lauriel Novelo. The teenager from San Victor, Corozal, was unnecessarily roughed up by members of the Special Patrol Unit outside the Michael Finnegan Market, where he had gone to deliver a few sacks of avocados to his sister, a […]
Finally, the Belize City Civic Center is ready for sporting and other activities such as conventions, concerts and expos. Earlier today, a contract was signed with a U.S.-based company to assume management of the thirty-three million-dollar state-of-the-art facility. Apex Events Services Limited, through its local subsidiary, was selected over other bidders for a two-year contract […]
The national executive of the People’s United Party met earlier today to discuss a range of national and intramural issues, including a legal challenge of the results in San Pedro following the March seventh municipal elections. Having reviewed the voting process, the P.U.P. believes that it has enough to contest the outcome of the election […]
There will be a return to the police-sponsored mediation and intervention sessions which Chester Williams pioneered during his time at Eastern Division (South). Williams will once again join forces with Dianne Finnegan of the Youth Apprenticeship Program; Nuri Muhammad and others, under the aegis of new Eastern Division Commander Robert Mariano and Southside commander Howell […]
In terms of recent cases, Williams says special investigative teams have been put in place for the murder of Bernadine Lauriano and the rapes reported in Independence Village. The new deputy commissioner responsible for operations says these officers are dedicated to the task of catching the persons responsible in both major crimes. Speaking specifically to […]
The other key to solving the crime chain is erasing corruption within the police department. Prime Minister Dean Barrow made reference to some police officers’ cozy relationships with the underworld element. He served notice that no one with a badge will any longer be able to lay claim to its power without severing ties with […]
The now-former head of Professional Standards Branch has led a number of high-profile investigations during his time in that branch over the last six months. It has confirmed that there is no shortage of police officers still willing to risk their badges for the promise of riches for illicit activity. While Chester Williams is moving […]
According to the Ministry of Education, some seven thousand, one hundred and ninety-nine Standard Six students sat the first day of the Primary School Examination in English and Science across the country today, down slightly from last year’s figures. There were slightly more females than males at three thousand, six hundred and thirty-three to three […]
There is a new commander to take on the Eastern Division South Command of the Police Department in the city. After eight months on the job as the head of what is considered the toughest areas to police, Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal will be replaced effectively March nineteenth by Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, the now […]
So who will take over from Gillett at the Belmopan Formation; and will Superintendent Daniel Arzu remain as Deputy Regional Commander at Eastern Division South? Here’s that update from Gillett. Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Newly Assigned Regional Commander, Eastern Division South “I am not aware that anybody has been identified to take over the […]
Around six o’clock on Thursday evening, there was a ruckus outside the Michael Finnegan Market, Belize City that quickly became violent. Officers attached to the Special Patrol Unit were caught on camera man-handling avocado farmer, Lauriel Novelo. The video shows three officers dressed in camouflage uniforms – at least one holding a high powered rifle […]
This evening, the nineteen-year-old resident of San Victor visited News Five along with his family. Sister Maria Cowo said that while he was held at the Racoon Street Police Station, officers harassed and beat him, but ultimately no charges were laid after an inspection done by the Customs Department and B.A.H.A. Now according to Cowo, […]
A press conference will be held on Monday to announce the management company to take over the running of the brand new thirty-three million dollars Civic Center. The construction of the state-of-the-art facility, which has five courts and can be used as a hurricane shelter, concluded since last year, but its opening had been put […]
