GOB Rolls Out Major Crime Crackdown as Gang Feud Escalates in Belize City

Belize City is on edge tonight. After weeks of escalating gang violence, incidents that have left even children caught in the crossfire, the government is stepping up its response. Two kids, just two and ten years old, were shot in recent weeks, and now authorities say it’s time for drastic action. Starting Wednesday, the BDF and Coast Guard will join police on the streets of Lake Independence in a major push to restore calm in that community. But what’s behind this surge in crime, and will these measures be enough? Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs, explains why this move is critical.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“In addition to the BDF being deployed starting this coming Wednesday, we will also be having Coast Guard joining the police in the area. It is a very critical time, as you could have seen over the last few weeks. A young, two-year-old was shot, a ten-year-old was shot and all of these stemming from an escalation in gang violence, primarily between two groups but there are associates of one of the gangs that are also involved in this feud. And so, it is absolutely critical that adjustments were made. The GI3, like you mentioned, will be placed in the St. Martin’s area, the SPU will be in charge of other parts of the city, and the GI3 will also be bolstered in their efforts with additional personnel. There is an issue in policing known as familiarity. Whether it is that they are siding or whether it’s familiarity, the fact remains that there is a perception that there might be some sort of bias towards one or the other and when that happens, it certainly creates some tension, whether that’s the reality or not. And so, in light of that perception, that is why there is a need. If you would recall the last two shooting incidents, one on the Northern Highway, in front of Reimer’s, I believe a switch was used. And then when you look at the one at Majestic Alley, a .223 rifle was used, and not just used in inflicting fatal injuries to one individual, harming a two-year-old, and thereafter, firing upon a police officer. We have to understand the critical nature of crime and violence in this country, right now and why we need to reinsert the security forces, in addition to police, to bolster our efforts in these areas.”