The issue of imposing a nine o’clock curfew for anyone below the age of eighteen years has gained traction in all corners, including the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation. While it has been met with objection from UNICEF, the idea of a citywide restriction on minors is one that is supported by government. […]
The curfew for minors is a topic that is being hotly debated across the land. ACP Chester Williams believes that it is the answer to keeping minors away from urban crime and gang activity. But in many sectors, it is out rightly rejected because it is in contravention to the rights of the child and […]
The curfew in Belize City has been in effect for more than two weeks now. The concept is that any youth under eighteen years of age, not accompanied by an adult, who is found on the streets of the city after nine at night, will be detained. So far the initiative first broached by Eastern […]
ACP Williams claims that one criticism also leveled at the initiative is that it punishes children for the deficiencies of their parents. He counters that by claiming that it not punishment, but actually the Police stepping in to assist the youths – keeping them productive and guiding them in the right direction. ACP Chester […]
The implementation of a curfew on unaccompanied minors after nine p.m. by Eastern Division South Regional Commander Chester Williams has stirred a firestorm. ACP Williams announced several weeks ago that the program would be implemented as a result of recent murders that were allegedly committed by minors. While the move has received support by residents […]
Minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez, however, says that he supports the initiative. But that a curfew imposed on children won’t address the issue of minors being recruited to commit violent crimes. Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Minister of Human Development “It’s an initiative that I support, but also too looking at the whole aspect of the involvement […]
A four point six million dollar facility will be constructed in the south side of the City with part of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. When completed, it will provide the space for sports, arts and culture, literacy and life skills programs for the youths of the areas. News Five’s Duane Moody reports. […]
Well-known Pastor Scott Stirm has come under some fire in the wake of the release of a video which has gone viral. In the edited video, Stirm is speaking to an audience at SP Ministries in the U.S. The section of that video which has caught fire is one in which Stirm makes reference to, […]
Two fourteen-year-olds and a fifteen-year-old have been charged within the last twenty-four hours for a most serious crime, murder. It is a damning reality because it highlights the lack of proper parenting and a breakdown in the social fabric of the Old Capital. A meeting was held today at the Raccoon Street Police Station with […]
ACP Williams says that several follow up meetings will be held to devise a protocol. The intent is to target parents, who, after a formal warning is issued to them, can very well be taken to court for neglect. ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South “Moving forward we will be meeting again […]
Thousands of women, men and children from every corner of Belize marched and rallied today. It’s a movement called Twenty Thousand Strong, and it’s all about empowering and uplifting women in the Belizean society. The crowd this morning was easily double what came out in 2014 for the first version of twenty-thousand. With participation from […]
Every day and in many forms, children endure acts of violence. The lack of awareness of the epidemic is a huge concern for agencies that want to build the confidence of the violated children. This morning, the Youth Enhancement Services concluded a training workshop aimed at putting an end to violence against children; in particular […]
“Opportunities, Risks, and Victories: Women carving their own images on Belize’s canvas” – it’s the theme for a project ceremony held today at the Radisson that empowers women into achieving life goals and improving their economic conditions. Today, some two hundred and forty women from across the country received seed capital grants as a part […]
The symbolic handing over ceremony held today signals the success of stage one of the project, which is being carried out by the Government of Belize through the Women’s Department, the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE). In collaboration with the International Organization […]
There is outrage tonight in the conservation community as well as in other sectors due to a recent large kill of sharks near the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye at Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Images of dozens of dead sharks went viral on social media and according to the […]
As we’ve told you, the Rural Eastern Division is paying particular attention to the community of Mahogany Heights, near mile thirty on the George Price Highway. It’s traditionally been a neglected area where a lot of crime originates and spreads into surrounding communities. The Police don’t just plan to rush in G.S.U. style, though. They’re […]
Today the St. Mary’s feeding program benefitted from a very generous donation from Belize Electricity Limited, part of its ongoing outreach and support initiative. The feeding program is generally funded through monies generated from the Church and through generous members and friends at home and abroad. But with more than one hundred children fed daily, […]
In the past few weeks, the P.U.P. has rolled out several of the party’s platforms which it plans to implement and stand behind if elected to office. This morning, it was another, comprehensive commitment couched in the form of a Social Contract. Mike Rudon was at Independence Hall for the launch and has that story. […]
In his Independence Day speech, the Prime minister of Belize announced that thirty-seven million dollars will be spent for Phase Two of the South Side Poverty Alleviation Program that falls under the ministry of Port Loyola area rep., Anthony “Boots” Martinez. Martinez clarified today that those monies, which are being provided through a loan from […]
According to statistics available, poverty has increased substantially so that over forty percent of the population is living in poverty. Notwithstanding, government has been claiming that the implementation of several initiatives, including the BOOST and Pantry Programs of the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, have been met with success. In the […]
Will there be nationwide blackouts in the jewel on Wednesday? It seems to be a possibility, since B.E.L. employees who are members of the Belize Energy Workers Union will be on strike. The announcement of that very drastic industrial action at the country’s only power provider came today from General Secretary of the B.E.W.U. Marvin […]
Today at the ITVET in Belize City, the data of the 2014 survey on Knowledge, Attitudes and Sexual Behavior and HIV in Belize was officially released. The survey was sanctioned by the National Aids Commission in anticipation of the 2014 HIV/AIDS Report. A total of two thousand eight hundred households were selected across the country […]
Acts of sexual violence against boys and girls are constant despite a number of new measures in place that provide more protection to victims and make it harsher for perpetrators of the crime. One way to prevent this scourge is through awareness and getting people to reject all forms of sexual exploitation. This morning, a […]
September time is party time in Belize, and party time means drinking – at home, house parties, clubs, and most certainly in public. Now public drinking is prohibited, and recently that has been strictly enforced by Police. But don’t panic just yet. Senior Superintendent Chester Williams says they’re willing to give public drinkers a pass […]
Since February of this year, the Youth Advocacy Through Arts has been traveling the country and visiting high schools across the city performing its latest play entitled Sleepless Girls. The drama piece looks at social issues affecting teenage girls and on Saturday the group is taking the play west, to the Welcome Center in San […]
