Belize District - Greater Belize Media

Foreign Minister Fonseca Meets with U.S. Ambassador Zeya

The discussions underlined the importance of prioritizing issues of human rights and engagement with civil society, with particular focus on protecting marginalized members of society. The delegation stressed the importance of enhancing citizen and human-centered security, strengthening the justice sector and securing Belize’s borders.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We had a very good discussion today. The Under Secretary had the opportunity as well to meet with the Prime Minister earlier this morning. We just had a very good discussion, we talked about citizen security, human rights, you know, democracy, the amnesty program, the migration issue and issues that affect the most vulnerable in our society.”

Reporter

“Is this something that came up between yourself and the Under Secretary, the number of Belizean asylum seekers who have headed to the United States?

Francis Fonseca

“We discussed that very openly, you know. We didn’t talk in great detail about the numbers of people going, but you made a very good point earlier. The whole asylum process, as you rightly pointed out, was affected. Many people said why or asked themselves, “Why should I go through this process when in fact I have an opportunity to get into the United States of America?” We found that many of the people who had applied, when they went looking for them, had actually left the country. [We don’t have] the full numbers on that but quite a few, even in my own constituency in Belama, I’ve noticed a number of families have gone… a number of families have gone to try their luck, as you said, and I haven’t seen them again. So I suspect they’ve been successful in reaching their destination.”

Man Almost Loses Life Over Mechanic Tools

A Belize City man is wanted for aggravated assault after allegedly pulling a gun during an altercation. Thirty-three-year-old James Nunez told police that he was on his property when four individuals exited a black Isuzu Rodeo and began threatening him. Nunez says one of the persons attempted to steal some car parts from him and left some tools behind. That individual returned to retrieve the tools and reportedly punched Nunez in the face several times. Nunez told police that he pulled out a knife to defend himself. That is when his attacker allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told us more.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The report is that the victim was saying he was in front of his home sitting on a bucket and he was approached by two persons or three in a black rodeo. One, Randy August alighted the vehicle and approached him and inquired about some tool that he may have left at the victim’s garage while he was trying to steal some parts from some vehicle. So he came back for the tools. He and the victim had an exchange during which the victim took out a knife to defend himself and Randy told the girl that was with him to get the gun out of the vehicle. The gun was retrieved and the victim eventually ran and made a call to the police. Police responded and the Rodeo was intercepted. But Randy August and another person had escaped. I am not sure if he has been caught by police but certainly if and when he is caught it is a matter for the police to look at for aggravated assault.”

An Alleged Impersonator Says She is A Victim

Last night, we told you about the San Pedro resident who was arrested and charged for the crime of obtaining property by deception, after allegedly impersonating Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde on Facebook to scam unsuspecting users out of money. Well, that woman, thirty-seven-year-old Ada Toro says that she is innocent and that she is actually a victim herself. In a report elsewhere in the media, Toro says that she, too, genuinely believed the person behind the Facebook page to be Minister Hyde. So, when money was reportedly deposited to her account with instructions to withdraw those funds and deposit it into another account, she believed she was working for the minister. Today, reporters asked the Commissioner of Police for his take on her claims.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I don’t know much in terms of the intricacies of the investigation. That will be something within the knowledge of the investigators. I am sure there must be sufficient evidence for the investigators to have been able to draw down on her and arrested her. And let me say this, there are a number of scams going on social media and I think these scams are easy to detect if you apply common sense. I think some people might just see certain deals on social media and it might have moved them so much that they fail to do necessary due diligence that would have led them to know it is not genuine. I just want to say to people to be careful before you make any deposit to people who are offering you things online. There are several things you can do to verify that those persons are not authentic and then look for example the issue with the ghost vehicle. I don’t know who would buy a vehicle and not see the vehicle and for the person to tell you later on I done got the vehicle you need to send more money, you wah send more money and nuh see the vehicle yet. You must apply commonsense and you will find out some of these things there are not really true. In this case I believe the lady’s banking information was what was used. I don’t see who would use your banking information knowing that the money is not coming to you it is going to someone else. So that I find very strange. I am not saying that what she is saying is not true. But why would I enter into a scam, give your banking information, the money will not come to me it will go to you, it makes no sense.”

Boots Raises Serious Concerns About Citizen Security in Port Loyola

As we reported at the top of our newscast, a well-known street figure was executed in the Jane Usher Boulevard neighborhood on Wednesday night. The deadly attack on Troy Hyde, which also claimed the life of fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody, came just a few weeks ahead of the March sixth municipal elections and it is believed that his murder is gang related. Earlier this week, former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez raised concerns about citizen security in that part of Belize City considering that polling stations for two adjacent constituencies have been designated along Faber’s Road. Those constituencies are also homes to rival gangs that may come into contact with each other on Election Day. Here’s how Martinez puts it.

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola

“This issue is with Elections & Boundaries and the Chief Elections Officer’s recommendation as to have a polling station da Port Loyola. Excelsior being a polling station da Port Loyola. My number one concern is citizen security, but apart from that, Excelsior High School is separated by a fence with St. John Vianney and Excelsior High School sits in the Queen Square constituency. Two thousand and nine people are asked from the Jane Usher Boulevard area to go to Excelsior to vote. One thousand, four hundred and forty people need fu pass through the same area fu go da Muslim School fi vote. One thousand, six hundred and odd people who vote in Queen Square are asked to go to St. John Vianney to vote. Yoh cyant get wahn hundred yard line, wahn hundred yard barrier from Excelsior to St. John Vianney, so da weh kinda case yoh wah have. Then yoh have the healthcare facility, the health clinic right beside Excelsior. My main concern, though, da with di various gang rivalry issues within the area. Yoh have Gill Street, yoh have LBC, yoh have Sunset, yoh have all kinda thing. My main concern da citizen security. I hope that the Chief Elections Officer would really consider citizen security. That’s my main concern.”

ACC Issues Statement on Slain Student

Anglican Cathedral College, the school where fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody was enrolled, issued a statement on her murder. The school said, “Last night, we received devastating news that Lamisha Moody, a cherished member of our A.C.C. family, was taken from us by senseless gun violence.” The school says that Lamisha was more than a student. “She was a bright light cherished by her peers and loved by her teachers.” The school said, “Gun violence has no place in our society, and Lamisha’s passing reminds us of the urgent need for action.”

The school’s counselling team and spiritual leaders will support students through this time of grief.

Lamisha along with street figure thirty-six-year-old Troy Hyde were shot and killed last night in the Jane Usher Boulevard area.

Still No Word from DPP On Rape Investigation

In mid-January, we reported on the criminal charges that one prominent Belize City attorney was likely to face in connection with a rape investigation. Well, six weeks later and those files are still with the Director of Public Prosecution. Charges are yet to be levied and there is no telling if the reports made by the two female victims will lead to an arrest. When reporters asked ComPol Williams for an update today, he said the D.P.P. has been busy.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The DPP is a very meticulous person. I must say she is an extremely good attorney and an exceptional advocate. She is the type who wants to make sure that when she draws bows there is sufficient and so I know that she has met with the investigators and gave them certain instructions to carry out and she is looking at the file very carefully. I know she was extremely occupied with the Oscar Selgado matter. That now awaits a decision from the trial judge. Just give her some time. I personally went through the file and it is complex. It is not a straight forward case. So she needs to make sure she has her ducks in row before making any decision where that matter is concerned.”

Cybercrime Investigation Files Against Joseph Budna Now with DPP

Following reports that Joseph Budna was wanted for questioning in connection with a cyber bullying investigation, Budna handed himself into police. He then took to social media to say that he is being targeted by police. But, the Commissioner of Police says that his officers are simply doing their due diligence and that the matter is now before the D.P.P.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The way how the cyber crime or cyber bullying works is that it is not something the police will just arrest you upon detention. It is a two step process. In the first instance the police will bring you in and they are going to question you, get a search warrant to obtain your electronic device and once the order is issued by the court then we go through the process of going through the electronic device and extract whatever needed to be extracted from there. That then goes to the DPP and the DPP advises the police how to proceed. We are at the stage now where the matter with Budna has been sent to the DPP for advice and once we get that advice back then we proceed against him based on the instructions given by the DPP.”

Training is Not the Issue, Application Is, Says ComPol Williams

And, if any one of the accused in those investigations is criminally charged then the matter goes before the courts. There is a concern, however, that accused criminals may be getting off too easily in court because some police officers are not doing their due diligence when cautioning alleged perpetrators upon making an arrest. It is one of the issues being raised in the ongoing Bladen twelve trial and it can lead to the dismissal of crucial evidence. Today, reporters asked ComPol Williams if officers are in need of more training in this area.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The truth is we do a number of trainings. In service training is done every week across the country and the trainers, because what we have done is that in each of the regions and formations we have established lead training officers and we also have RTOs which are regional training officers. What they do is to ensure that they look at weaknesses in their respective area of work and with the concurrence of the OC or the regional commander they would put together training to cover those areas of weaknesses to strengthen the police ability to be able to respond to the needs of the public in a more efficient manner. So I would not say that there is a issue in terms of training. Perhaps there is an issue in terms of police officers applying the training they are getting and that is an area we may need to look at to ensure the content of these trainings we are doing every week is translated into the performance of the police. And like you said when it comes to the whole issue of cautioning a person and the person saying certain things after having been cautioned, it is always good to reduce that to writing immediately, but in instance where it is not then it can be done as soon as possible after. I think the law speak to the issue of contemporaneous. It can be done as soon as possible after, the first opportune time that the officer can get to reduce in writing what is said then the officer can do so and in those circumstances then it should be admissible.”

ComPol Says Let’s Get Back to Respecting Authority

Two weeks ago, the Senate debated amendments to the Criminal Code and Summary Jurisdiction Acts that seek to increase jail time for individuals who interfere with the work of law enforcement officers. Lead Opposition Senator, Michael Peyrefitte raised concerns over the definitions of certain offenses outlined in the legislation, such as indecent words and behavior. The Commissioner of Police was asked for his thoughts on the legislative changes. Here is what he told us.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Maybe the opposition has some intend to assault a police officer or judges or persons who are executing their duties as to why they would have issues with the law. See, that is one of the issue we have in Belize, we tend to not want to respect authority. When a police officer is discharging his or her duties it is important that they be respected, likewise a judge sitting in a court hearing a matter, it is important. Again, when we look at how our society has degraded so much that the fabric of what we are as human beings is lost to some extent. The lack of respect comes from these things and there certainly is a need to restore the core function and purpose of what we are as human beings. I believe the law is indeed timely and needed. I don’t see how it is going to be misapplied. At the end of the day the police is not going to be the prosecutor, the judge and the juror. The police is just going to be the one to apply the law in terms of arresting persons who may break the law. It has to go before a court and a magistrate is going to be the one to determine if in fact the act accused is sufficient to amount to aggravated assault and then apply the punishment as stipulated in the law. For me it is a very good law and only persons who may have intent to assault public officers in the execution of duties will have problems with that law.”

MIDH Clears Up Concerns Regarding Haulover Bridge

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing is responding to concerns raised by motorists traversing the newly-built Haulover Bridge. Several persons who crossed the structure recently have taken to social media to raise concerns, as well as criticize the construction of the bridge, after observing what appeared to be potholes on the surface. This afternoon, Chief Engineer Evondale Moody called us out to that location to explain what is being done from an engineering standpoint and to allay concerns regarding the build.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“So if I may start with just giving a basic background of how the bridge is constructed, so that everyone could know and the basic layperson and the local engineers could know exactly what‘s happening. So the bridge itself, the Haulover Bridge is basically approximately five hundred and twenty-eight meters in span and over that span we have approximately twelve piers and two abutments. Each pier and abutment basically have what we call girders on top of them. So just to further explain, if you have one pier, basically those piers would support the girder that we‘re putting on and each pier basically has seven girders on one side and seven on the other side that make a connection at that pier itself. Those girders are placed on what we call bearing pads. The girders cannot interlock because they are reinforced concrete and so we have to allow those girders to expand and contract. So from we reach that level of the bridge we have to leave what is called an expansion joint. And so, on top of the girders, we place what is called a pre-cast deck slab which is three inches thick and then we also place an additional eight inches of reinforced concrete on top of that deck slab to basically create the deck for the bridge itself. So the bridge itself basically has an eleven inch thick reinforced concrete deck slab which is the deck for the bridge. What you are seeing here on top of the bridge is the hot mix asphalt which is basically just a wearing course for the movement of traffic to even move smoother across the bridge. It carries no load, it bears no load and so it‘s just what we call a wearing course.”