Stricter Penalties for Tampering With Police Cameras
The Belize Police Department is expanding its use of technology to fight crime, but as that network grows, so do efforts to undermine it. Just weeks after a Belize City man was caught on camera vandalizing surveillance cameras at two locations, Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado is calling for tougher penalties against those who tamper with law enforcement equipment. While the accused, Jimmy Rojas, has been charged with damage to property, Rosado says the current punishment may not fit the crime, especially when police surveillance systems play a critical role in crime prevention and investigations nationwide.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“The police department have embraced advanced technology. We have a number of security cameras across the country. We have our drone unit, along with the security forces drone unit that will help us police the different areas.”
Reporter
“Is the penalty for the tampering with the surveillance equipment sufficient in your view?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“I believe it require some legislative amendment because when they tamper with the camera, they damage the camera, the penalty for damage of property I view as being minimal. I do believe it has the necessary security measures in place, hence the reason those two individual that damage the, the cameras were immediately found and arrested and charged.”
Jimmy Rojas was charged with two counts for damaged to property and remanded to the Belize Central Prison for breaching previous bail conditions.
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