At the close of 2016, the Belize Police Department introduced a youth mentorship programme aimed at youths at risk in some of the most troubled areas of Belize City. It produced more than one hundred graduates six months later, but the violence continues to engulf both adults and the most vulnerable of the youth population. […]
The youths will have the opportunity as part of the programme to see more of Belize than they ever have, as most of them have only rarely if ever left Belize City in their young lives. But Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams says they will have to earn it through active and meaningful participation every Saturday. […]
Deputy Commissioner Williams also discussed the successes of the first cohort of mentees, one hundred of whom graduated about a year ago. He says they learned critical skills to survive in a torrid time for youths across Belize City. Chester Williams, Deputy Commissioner (Operations) “I must say that the first cohort we had, we […]
The school year is fast winding down and while most students are already looking forward to summer camp, visits abroad or just generally hanging out, there’s still lots to learn. Today our neighbors across the street at Nazarene High School invited us to their first-ever showcase of activity, a school expo. In addition to the […]
The popular proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” was the message behind an initiative carried out today by Region One Commander, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett and Crooked Tree stakeholders today. Select primary school students from Belize City were treated to an outback experience the protected wildlife sanctuary at Crooked Tree. From a […]
There were inmates of the Belize Central Prison in the city today, but they were being kept out of trouble. Region One Commander Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett employed them to “bush” overgrown lots on Logwood Street, Moya Street in the Saint Martin’s area, and on Mayflower Street. But Gillett told us that after the city […]
On the occasion of Labour Day, police from Region One, Eastern Division, brought out thirty-two kids from Region One area of Eastern Division to play football against Roaring Creek and Camalote’s under-thirteen football teams. The youngsters from Mesopotamia, Collet and Queen’s Square neighborhoods split a pair of games, but former Belmopan Commander, now Region One […]
Two Inter-American Development Bank consultants are in Belize doing an assessment for Region One of Eastern Division in an effort to reduce violence through sports. The bank has provided funding for initial training of sports coaches in selected areas of Guatemala and Honduras, and is now hoping to introduce the program to Belize City’s south […]
Consultants Arimany and Claude Magnifico met with the regional commander, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, at a breakfast meeting at the Princess Hotel. Having taken command on March nineteenth, Gillett has been actively meeting with interested stakeholders and throwing himself into the battle to regain the hearts and minds of jaded Belize City residents under his […]
Last November a project tackling official responses to gender based violence and trafficking in persons was launched. Supported by the U.S. Embassy through the Central American Regional Security Initiative, it will focus on six communities, Hattieville, Seine Bight, Hopkins, Independence, Roaring Creek and Teakettle, which were selected based on their vulnerability level and the incidences […]
About a hundred at-risk youths were recognized today for staying the course despite their exposure to crime and other societal ills. Many had been caught up in the cycle of violence but chose to reform and follow a productive path. At a ceremony, held by the Community Rehabilitation Department, they were lauded for having the […]
In the past five years, with funding from UNICEF and other U.N. agencies, the Taiwanese and U.S. Embassies and others, the RESTORE Belize program has undertaken a long-term project called “Metamorphosis.” As the name suggests, the idea is to transform lives, building resiliency in ninety-two male children at high risk through targeted interventions at the […]
A key part of today’s discussion was the seeming lack of coordination between public and private sector in addressing the crime and youth issues in Belize City and elsewhere. Many hands have pitched in with assistance, but as RESTORE Belize director Mary Vasquez notes, their motives and outcomes are murkier to discern. Nonetheless, the organization […]
A primary finding of the Metamorphosis Project is that it is important to understand how childhood experiences have a long-term impact on child development, even into adulthood. The trauma of losing loved ones to either gun or domestic violence, or run-ins with the police or other issues lead to poorer educational performance and reduced ability […]
A new facility was inaugurated this morning in the Port Loyola community in Belize City. It was funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID whose Vienna based Director, Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish, flew into Belize for the event. OFID, he said, wants to reduce poverty in all sectors so that the centre will be […]
Haven House is a non-profit domestic violence shelter. Since 1993, it has been providing support and intervention services for women in crisis and their children. Haven House offers shelter, counseling, court advocacy, referrals and transitional living opportunities to battered women. While the non-profit gets a small subvention from government, it has to generate more funds […]
The U.S. State Department has issued the 2017 report on human rights issues worldwide, including Belize. Belize is faulted for several alleged unlawful killings by security officers, corruption by government agents; killings motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity, trafficking in persons, dealt with more extensively in a separate report released last year; and child […]
In his interview with the media today, the Attorney General also commented on the recent efforts to tackle crime including the crime bills and the emergency zones. As it relates to implementing the emergency areas – that is on hold for now. The AG says that the government has seen how policing efforts are working […]
What’s in a name? Just ask the Belize Police Department. They say they want to help to eliminate the stigma associated with what’s known as the “south side” and they want to get residents to start looking at the City as a whole – and not by north and south sides with connotations. So, they’ve […]
Tensions are high in the Majestic Alley-Jungle area. A spate of shootings and murders associated with the gangs in those areas has led to an increased hostility. Now, Police say that they are actively working in that area albeit a challenge due to high tensions. According to Chester Williams, Operations ACT has expanded from region […]
Today, cops were visiting residents in the Jane Usher Boulevard area in their meet and greet sessions. Things have been relatively calm in this area since more boots were put on the ground. Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that they received a lot of positive feedback on the law enforcement efforts in the […]
Last week, we told you about the U.S Embassy’s community policing presentation with Belize City cops. The purpose is to share tips and ideas with local authorities on how to build a strong relationship with the people they serve. Well, today, they took that presentation to Belmopan. As you may have heard, community policing has […]
This morning, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett addressed the inmates at the Wagner’s Youth Facility at the Belize Central Prison. In his statement, Gillett touched on a number of topics including conflict resolution, anger management, bullying, gang violence and a range of other topic areas. With the blessing from the U.S. Embassy in Belize, the Police […]
The Eastern Division South Commander also signed an agreement today with Whalther Campos of Dibary Group of Companies that will see the Officer of the Month starting April and for the rest of the year receive a five hundred-dollar gift certificate to shop at the business. Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett says the aim is to […]
According to the International Labour Organization, “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. In its worst forms, it includes slavery and deliberate exploitation. Belize has been identified as one of six countries to participate in a […]
