Caye Caulker Residents Call for Referendum Over Use of Parcel 815 for Police Station

The Caye Caulker Village Council has launched a petition drive to trigger a referendum on the future of parcel 815, land originally designated for the island’s police station.

In a post to residents, the council urged all registered voters who support keeping the parcel for its intended purpose to sign the petition. Copies are available at the council office, and voters must present their Social Security card and voter’s ID or submit photos of both. “Let’s save the police station as a community,” the council declared.

The petition follows a peaceful demonstration on Monday and a public meeting on Wednesday, where residents voiced frustration over delays in construction.

Meanwhile, the minister for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, has confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs secured title to the land in 2023 through CABEI funds. He added that the parcel remains communal land belonging to the government of Belize and the police department.

However, Perez acknowledged that construction on the police station had been put on hold after an offer was made while work was underway and the contractor requested a pause.

Perez said that the government was not given an opportunity to publicly announce the offer before community concern erupted.