Police Crack Down on Highway Violators; Over 200 Tickets, 14 Arrests

The Belize Police Department says it’s done talking and now it’s taking action. In a push to crack down on traffic violations along the national highways, officers have stepped up enforcement in a big way. According to Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, this week’s operations resulted in fourteen arrests and over two hundred tickets issued for various infractions. While some critics argue the department is only reacting to recent accidents, ASP Smith insists their efforts throughout the year have contributed to a noticeable drop in fatal road traffic accidents.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Over this weekend, I can say that a number of operations have been conducted by the police department which has resulted in the arrest of fourteen individuals for various traffic related offenses and the issuance of two hundred and thirty traffic violation tickets. I can also say that we as a department have noted that the weekends and especially those early morning hour over the weekends are the period of times we see the most incidents and our operational efforts have been tailored in that regard, in addition to having tailored checkpoints during the peak time, we also have roving checkpoints that are done with a view to deter and detect those persons who may after having a night out in the town would be operating these motor vehicles and we have found that to be one of the cause of these accidents.”

 

Paul Lopez

How do you respond to criticism that police’s response is often reactive rather than proactive?

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“We have been having consistent checkpoints. This is something that is not new. I don’t believe it is tied to the spike. Strictly speaking, the data shows that this year, as it relates to fatalities, we have seen a reduction. But notwithstanding there is a reduction it means our efforts have reduced, because any life lost is one life too much.”