Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Building Near an Airport? BDCA Approval Required

Strict new construction regulations are now in place for areas near aerodromes, which require approval to prevent hazards to aircraft operations. The Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA) has outlined clear guidelines, under the Civil Aviation Aerodrome Design and Construction Regulations 2023 (SI No. 126). The department states that no object posing a threat to aircraft should be within prescribed distances of runways.

For domestic aerodromes, the new rules focus on runways used for visual and instrument approaches. “No object that would pose a hazard to aircraft operations is to be situated inside the prescribed vicinity of said runway,” the BDCA stated. New buildings or extensions of existing ones are not allowed above certain safety zones, known as obstacle limitation surfaces unless they are shielded by existing structures.

At the Philip Goldson International Airport, the rules are even strictetr. “No new objects shall be permitted above obstacle limitation surfaces,” the BDCA added. This ensures that nothing interferes with aircraft operations at the country’s busiest airport, according to the department.

The BDCA also reminded the public that before starting any construction within 3,000 meters of a domestic aerodrome, or 6,000 meters of the Philip Goldson International Airport, a “letter of no objection” must be obtained. This letter confirms that the construction will not interfere with aviation safety.

Existing structures above these safety zones may only remain if they are deemed safe after an aeronautical study or if they are blocked from view by immovable objects. 3

Video Captures Police Officer Stealing Cash from Store

A police officer was caught on camera stealing money from a store he was supposed to be protecting. The video, posted on social media, shows the officer opening a cash pan and rummaging through cash bills behind the store’s desk and pocketing some of the money.

The footage reveals the officer calmly moving aside as a woman, who was the shop owner, enters the store. The woman appeared to be distraught as to why the policeman would be behind her desk. The video shows him stepping back, gesturing behind the desk, and speaking to her.

This same police officer was also previously involved in a 2018 incident involving aviation fuel near a drug plane landing, for which no action was taken against him at the time.

Public Outcry After ‘Dr. Sutherland’ Charged with “Unreasonable” Offence

A simple act of kindness—carrying a water bottle on a bike—has led to an unusual charge and public outcry. On Friday night’s newscast, News 5 reported on a peculiar case involving Harrison Sutherland, famously known as “Dr. Sutherland.”

Sutherland, 34, was arrested and brought to court for facing an unusual charge with a misdemeanour for carrying the water in a way that hindered his control of the bike. The charge came after Sutherland helped an elderly woman by transporting the water for her.

This misdemeanour charge is quite rare, especially for something as simple as carrying a water bottle on a bicycle. Just like Sutherland, many citizens were shocked by the charge, with some expressing confusion online.

One user questioned, “So you not allowed to carry the 5 gallon of water on a bicycle then? I really don’t understand what’s this all about.” The user added, “That’s many people’s means of collecting their water. No one will get a taxi to pick up a $3 gallon of water; are they crazy?”

While another criticised the justice system, saying it reflects poor police training. “Need of greater discipline in the department, if not then our entire system is a failure to citizens of this country.”

Sutherland spent nearly 12 hours in police custody before being released on bail. He was scheduled to return to court on March 6, 2025, but in a recent statement from Police Commissioner Chester Williams, he announced that the charge would be withdrawn.

Williams reacted to the case, stating, “How can we now punish someone for such a kind gesture?” Williams added, “While I recognized that the police are doing their job, I believe this charge is unreasonable.” Williams stated that this case “goes directly against the grain of what we are trying to promote.”

“In light of this, I have directed that the charge against Sutherland be withdrawn on Monday.”

WMO Confirms 2024 as Hottest Year on Record

2024 has officially been confirmed as the warmest year ever recorded, with global temperatures rising 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels—a first in modern history. Experts say that this is not just a number; it’s a loud wake-up call that we are living through the effects of climate change right now.

Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Celeste Saulo, said, “Climate history is playing out before our eyes,” as she pointed out the ongoing impacts, including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and melting ice.

This year stands out as the 10th consecutive year of record-high temperatures. WMO’s recent analysis shows that even a single year of temperatures exceeding 1.5°C can trigger devastating effects, such as more intense storms and melting ice. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned, “Today’s assessment from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) proves yet again—global heating is a cold, hard fact.” WMO added that the fact that this is happening amid natural phenomena like El Niño only adds to the urgency.

A new study reveals that ocean heat has played a key role in this record. Oceans have absorbed 90% of the excess heat caused by global warming, making them the warmest ever recorded. The WMO plans to release more details in its 2024 Global Climate report in March.

While surpassing the 1.5°C mark in one year does not mean the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach, Saulo cautioned, “Every additional increment of global warming increases the impacts on our lives, economies, and our planet.”

ComPol Addresses First Three Murders of 2025

Within the first nine days of 2025, Belize has recorded three murders. Despite this, the Belize Police Department has kept the annual murder count under 100 for the past two years, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.

Williams told News 5 on Thursday that many murders are unpredictable. “While yes, we’re at three murders so far this year, it is three murders too much,” he said.

He also stated that the police continue working to address the root causes of violence through various interventions. “We can’t prevent everything, and we do hope that people do exercise some patience, adjust their attitudes, and always try to resolve conflicts by other means other than the use of lethal force,” Williams said.

The first murder of 2025 involved 59-year-old fisherman Godfrey Hyde, found dead with gunshot wounds on Turneffe Atoll on January 4. Police suspect the crime may be drug-related. On January 8, George Brown, known as “Guru,” was fatally stabbed in Hopkins Village by his brother-in-law, Steven Flores, over a jacket dispute. Flores was arrested and charged with murder. The third murder occurred just yesterday, on January 9, when Giovanni Ramirez, a key witness in the 2024 Oscar Selgado trial, was shot dead in Belize City by a gunman on a motorcycle.

Family of Missing Mason Patnett Searching for Body

It’s been six days since 38-year-old Mason Patnett disappeared, and his family is growing increasingly desperate for answers. The last time anyone heard from Mason was Sunday evening when he updated his WhatsApp status, but shortly after, he vanished without a trace. When his family checked his home, they found the door unlocked and food still cooking on the stove.

Sasha Patnett, Mason’s sister, told News 5 that the family has faced an intense emotional toll since his sudden disappearance. “When our search first started, we were…very hopeful, and we were praying to get him back home alive,” she said. “But regrettably, it’s been 6 days, and our hope is dwindling. The reality is really setting in now.”

The disappearance is especially difficult for their mother, who is already dealing with the loss of four children. “It’s really affecting my mom now,” Sasha explained. “She’s older and has her own ailments, and this is just scaring us…She keeps trying to figure out where he could be.” Sasha added that the family is now facing the possibility of finding Mason’s body. “We are most likely searching for a body, and so we’re just asking whoever took him to please just tell us where he is.”

The family also wonders if Mason’s past is connected to his disappearance. In 2012, he was charged with attempted murder, but those charges were dropped in 2018 after the alleged victim and suspect passed away. “We just want to find him at this point.”

The family is planning another search and continues to ask for the public’s help. “We are working on another search…hopefully we’re going to have information soon,” Sasha said. “We’re just asking; please just tell us where he is so that we can go get him.”

Chester Ain’t Going Nowhere

After reflecting on the latter half of 2024 at the biannual COMPSTAT meeting in Belmopan, the police commanders came together to review crime trends and the strategies they’ve been implementing under Chester Williams’s leadership in his 6th year as Commissioner of Police.

Williams, who said that six years in the role has felt like a long time, credited many of the department’s successes to the support he receives from the commanders and officers he works with.

While he is starting to think about his next steps, Williams made it clear he still wants to stay in public service. This is after he said last year that he would retire this year. “I am not saying that I am leaving now, but certainly I have started to contemplate my next plan, my next move, what I will do after this,” he said. “Yes, I am an attorney. I have a profession I can go to. But believe you me, I have fought all my life to put criminals behind bars. I don’t see myself fighting to take them out.”

In a separate interview yesterday, Williams stated that for now, he “remains a police officer.” He added that there is no need for him to request an extension, saying, “I’ll continue to serve until the minister and prime minister would say otherwise or decide otherwise.” He added that he is a “tenured public officer” set to retire at the age of 55 and is far from such age.

When asked if there was a possibility of him staying on as Commissioner of Police until 2035, Williams laughed and dismissed the idea.

ComPol Williams Says Jamaican Man Lied

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told News 5 on Thursday that Jamaican Christopher McIntyre is a liar. Williams says that McIntyre lied about being abused by officials at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) last month.

As we reported, McIntyre was detained following an issue with Customs officials upon his arrival on December 30. His accommodations seem suspicious to officials, and as such, he was denied entry.

American Sheila Williams, who invited him for his birthday, hired a lawyer and told the media that McIntyre was assaulted by police officers while at the PGIA.

However, ComPol Williams refuted these claims, releasing security footage of McIntyre throwing himself to the ground. “I am wondering if he is really from Jamaica. I think he is more from Hollywood,” Williams said. Williams said that footage showed McIntyre acting “boisterous” and becoming frustrated after being refused entry to Belize.

“You can see the gesticulations that he was doing, clearly indicating that he was boisterous,” he added. “He threw himself to the ground. No one touched him. And when he threw himself to the ground, the police officer picked him up to some extent and pulled him into the room.”

The people in the room said no one hit him, according to Williams. “The police, as far as we are concerned, exercised extreme care and extreme caution and applied our policy in terms of deescalation. So when he said that he was doing nothing and the police came from nowhere and punched, he is lying.”

It does not seem that McIntyre knew that cameras were in the area. “Perhaps not, but the man can go to Hollywood. He is a very good actor,” Williams said when asked.

Fortunately for McIntyre, he left the country on Monday, or else he would have been charged with a mischievous act.

And for those who condemned the department without knowing all the facts, Williams said, “I hope some of those persons who have crucified the police will be able to apologise for what they have said about the police.”

There is Footage of Giovanni Ramirez Murder, Police Say

Giovanni Ramirez, 30, was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in Belize City, and police say footage has captured the moment of the fatal attack. Ramirez, a key witness in the conviction of attorney Oscar Selgado, was ambushed by two men on a motorcycle while driving his red SUV on Amandala Drive in Belize City. The shooting caused Ramirez’s vehicle to crash into a cement fence. Authorities found him dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds.

Ramirez had provided crucial testimony in Selgado’s conviction for attempting to hire him to murder Marilyn Barnes, although he never testified in court due to fear, and recordings of his conversations were reported going missing. He was also recently charged with gang membership.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed the investigation is ongoing, saying, “We have persons of interest that we are looking for, and we’re hoping that we will be able to get some tangible information that will be able to help us to solve in this latest murder.”

Williams added, “We do have security footage that we are looking at at this time. And if it is that we are unable to identify those persons in the footage, then we will release it to the public so that they can help us identify who they are.”

Villagers Demand Relocation of Cell Tower

Residents of Cattle Landing Village in Toledo are petitioning to have a recently installed Digi tower relocated. The petition, dated December 8, 2024, claims the tower was placed without proper consultation or a vote from local residents, especially those living closest to the site.

In a petition submitted to the chairman of Cattle Landing Village, Byron Waluco Maheia, it stated, “We were not properly informed or given notice.” The petition says that concerns over health risks and environmental impacts were raised after the tower was erected in October 2024.

It added that villagers worry about potential radiation effects, citing studies linking cell tower radiation to health issues like cancer and headaches. The petition also highlights safety risks, such as obstruction of airspace and harm to migratory birds, and lists a total of 15 references of research that support their petition.

“We want the same safe distance as other communities,” it added, referring to a recommended distance of 500 meters from homes. The villagers are seeking a meeting with authorities to address these concerns.