“They String Up Me”: Belize City Family Accuses Police of Excessive Force 

A Belize City family says police have repeatedly targeted their home on the corner of Oleander and Mahogany Streets over the past two years, with the searches escalating since the August murder of eighteen-year-old Ewart Hernandez Jr.

This week, officers searched the property again and detained Jaime Anderson, who has posted videos of previous police searches on social media. A resident of the house said Anderson was held because of that footage.

“He sat down right there and video from when they come, he saw when they came in and start bother we,” the resident said.

The resident described the latest encounter, which they say began as they returned home from buying food.

“They say we were doing something, but we had our food and thing in our hands and asked me for my name and thing. I asked them if they had their warrant and they noh answer we and then start string up me because I didn’t wanna give them my name. They start string up me and tell me that I am a member of a gang, so I asked which gang,” the resident said.

He added, “They claim this da wah gang yaad and thing.” 

According to the resident, the family does not object to police conducting searches but says officers have repeatedly used excessive force and accuses them of gang involvement. 

Meanwhile, police say they are investigating criminal activity linked to the property. The family maintains it is being unfairly targeted and insist that repeated searches have turned up no evidence.

The resident confirmed the family plans to file an official report over the incident. 

News 5 reached out to Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado for comment. He said he had not seen the video in question and could not comment on something he had not viewed.