Hangar Closure Sparked by Security Concerns; Ex-ComPol Says Police Are Stretched Thin

Tonight, we’re learning that the decision to block off Hangar from vehicular traffic wasn’t made lightly. Former Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says he personally wrote to Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner back in July, recommending the move to address growing security concerns in the area. That letter became a key part of the City Hall’s decision to close off the Hangar in August. But it raises a question, why not just increase police presence instead? Williams says the department is stretched thin, with officers already juggling major responsibilities across the country. Concentrating too many resources in one community, he argues, simply isn’t sustainable.

 

Chester Williams, Former Commissioner of Police

“I was the commissioner then who had wrote to the mayor making some proposal and indeed because of the increase of crime in the area we had sought to have the area cordoned off or blocked off to alleviate those concerns in the area. I think the mayor took the recommendation and that was done. I am not going to say that it is because of the police’s inability to police, because the police do have a huge responsibility. The police cannot stay in one community in Belize City and police that one community and leave the rest of the communities open. So, it is a matter the mayor dealt with based on recommendation I made to him, following the concerns people raised in the area to me.”

 

Britney Gordon

And when it was closed off did, we see the crime go down?

 

Chester Williams

“Certainly, it went down tremendously.”