By News Five’s unofficial count, there have been forty-eight murders in the span of three months and a few days, or on average sixteen per month. One of the more sensational murders was the execution of Ghost Town boss Kendis Flowers, murdered two weeks ago at the corner of Sittee and Mahogany Streets in Belize […]
Police have denied involvement. Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett this afternoon reiterated that the critical surveillance footage in their possession vindicates the GSU and that police had intended to show the video to the family. While he could not confirm whether that has taken place, Gillett maintained that the investigators are trying to ensure that they […]
In the aftermath of a horrifically violent weekend in March, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced a package of anti-crime measures. Under Section eighteen of the Constitution, the Governor General was to be asked to declare “public emergency areas” under terms to be defined by the security agencies. This, according to the Prime Minister, was intended […]
The Opposition People’s United Party had objected to the calling of any state of emergency or declaration of public emergency areas by the Governor General, accusing the Prime Minister of skirting the National Assembly which has the same powers under section eighteen of the Constitution. But more importantly, the P.U.P. said the Government’s approach fails […]
Attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley has also weighed in on the matter of emergency zones. He says had the public emergency declaration gone through, the government could have opened itself up to damaging accusations of abuse of process in safeguarding our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights in the service of fighting crime. He urged the Government to very seriously […]
With close to fifty murders so far this year, the new Regional Commander of the Eastern Division South, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, is making his rounds – meeting with religious leaders, the business community, residents of the south side and other groups. Gillett has been receiving advice and dialoguing to find solutions for the crime […]
Still on the topic of guns, Gillett also met with the licensed arms dealers in Belize City to discuss issues related to the availability of ammunition. According to the Regional Commander, their intel shows that some of the weapons on the streets have made their way through licensed channels. One of the points discussed is […]
There is breaking news tonight that thirty-six-year-old punta rock artist Daniel Cacho, known to all as “Lova Boy”, is behind bars. The artist is being held without bail in a Los Angeles detention center. He is charged with two counts rape of a minor and two counts of kidnapping. The self-proclaimed “Prince of Belize” was […]
Just in time for the Easter holidays, the prices of fuel went up driving the cost of living further up. The news tonight is that the cost of another utility may likely hit consumers where it hurts the most; in their pockets. The Belize Electricity Limited says it has made a submission to the Public […]
On April fifteenth, a referendum is scheduled to take place in Guatemala on taking the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice. But should Belize be worried about the legal challenge filed last Wednesday in Guatemala’s Civil Constitutional Court? The attorneys for Guatemalans Lionel Nájera and Héctor Quezada argue that the ratification of the […]
In December of 2016, Belize’s Senate, which has sole responsibility for ratification of treaties, protocols and other official documentation, ratified along party lines the 2008 Special Agreement and 2015 amendment. At that time it appeared that the country was nowhere close to a referendum after a joint date in 2015 was scrapped. So while Foreign […]
But Minister Elrington could not have known that earlier, we were made aware of just such plans by a group of litigants. They took their plans to attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who told us that they are still canvassing for legal opinions. But he noted that Belize has a similar provision to Guatemala in our […]
So if the Guatemalan lawsuit succeeds, could it give a boost for opponents of the process in Belize? Bradley reminded that the Sarstoon River and Sarstoon Island remain effectively under Guatemalan control, wiping out our southern border, and there are constant depredations in the West in the Chiquibul Forest and National Park. With Guatemala holding […]
There was consternation in the Senate with news that only forty thousand dollars was in the recently passed Budget for the public education campaign for the referendum on settling the Guatemalan claim at the I.C.J. But Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington confirmed to News Five today that while forty-K was approved, government needs eight […]
So where will the funding come from? The Government aims to use a mix of local funds, contributions and donations, and funding from several identified international partners. These range from the usual suspects such as Taiwan to other quieter donors. And in the coming months, Foreign Minister Elrington says we should expect to see lots […]
United States Marshals have expanded the manhunt for former marine, Raymond McLeod, who is wanted for the murder of his girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell. As we reported on Tuesday, an eleven thousand U.S. dollar reward is being given for assistance in the arrest of this fugitive. According to a release issued today by the U.S. Embassy […]
Orange Walk police are reporting the burglary of the home of well-known businessman and former politician Orlando “Landy” Burns. According to a report made by the fifty-nine-year-old victim, sometime between four a.m. last Friday and around midnight on Tuesday, while away on Easter vacation, his house was burglarized. It is believed that at least two […]
There were separate drug busts on Tuesday in the south and north. Around four p.m., officers on a mobile patrol on a feeder road near Swasey River covered by the Independence jurisdiction spotted a man in the bushes acting suspiciously. Upon seeing the officers, he threw away a black plastic bag which contained one hundred […]
Less than a month after he was beaten at the polls, former Belize City Councilor and CEMO Coordinator since 2006, Phillip Willoughby has been appointed the new National Operations Officer for NEMO. Willoughby has abundant experience in the area of disaster and emergency management. His appointment takes effect immediately and today, the forty-year-old gave a […]
As you heard earlier in the newscast, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett is working on multiple initiatives across south side Belize City. Today we caught up with the regional commander at one of his meet and greet in Precinct Two where he was visiting with residents in the Neal Pen Road Extension, Arlington Drive and surrounding […]
Gillett says that while a lot is being done to curb the crime and make life safer in communities, those on the frontlines can also expect some much needed incentives for their welfare. In his many meetings, Gillett has been talking with the business community on how they can improve the working conditions and lives […]
Building Up Nations for Christ hosted a one-day mission called “Young Athletes for Christ Camp”. The U.S. team has hosted mission camps in Belize over the years, but this is the first time they have engaged primary school students. The day of fun activities, games, motivational talks and basketball was held at the Trinity Methodist […]
