Is the Police Prepared for Possible Gang Retaliation?  

And in the Old Capital, tensions are rising again between rival gangs. The Belize Police Department says it is working to reassure residents that operations and community efforts remain in place to deter violence. This heightened sense of alarm comes after Ian Arthurs was shot dead which followed another shooting on Crawl Road. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith says officers are looking into whether the two incidents are connected.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“The response  of the police department in that area, even prior to these two incidents that you stated, was one that was done with a view to prevent and deter any incidents? I don’t know. I cannot say that there was a failure on police’s part because as you would know, very small opportunity needs to present itself for these persons who have criminal desires to. Police officers were in the area and were able to respond within a reasonable time. And they also apprehended one person who was detaining connection to this incident.”

 

Reporter

“Will police be able to effectively suppress retaliatory measures between this escalating conflict that is unfolding between our rival gangs in a very tight geographic area?”

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“I will say again that we have not been able to conclusively make a link between the two incidents. Namely the one that occurred on the twenty-ninth and the one, the murder of Mr. Arthurs. But that is being explored as being a rival incident between gangs that, as you stated, operate within this very small geographic area. We have put into place, and I’ve always been put into place operational efforts as well as community policing efforts, but I want to remind the members, the general public, especially those persons living in that area, that they also play a role when it comes to citizen safety and security. The department will continue with its mandate. The intelligence driven operation, as well as community policing and other intervention outreach efforts. But I want to remind the general public, especially those persons in that area, that they also have a role to play as it relates to deescalating tensions that you see exists in that area.”