AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life Living in Belize Police Public Consultation Meeting

Thank all of you for the information. Things are moving foward. I have to admit I was surprised when I talked to officers and they said they were part of the "National Police" and would only be there for a limted time then they were moved to other communities. Very different, but I can understand the rationale on both sides: but if one way is not working then try the other. The is a lot to say for an officer living in a community with his family and getting to know EVERONE. It does take a stron, honest person not to look the other way when a friend gets in trouble.

Have street signs on every corner and numbers on every building. The statement was "If you don't know where you are how can you tell the police, fire department or rescue people?"

The Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. announced the following:
The civilian constable program is to be reinstated.
The Belize Defense Force is to have a visible presence here for at least the next year; rotating assignees every two weeks.
More police requested.

Scott Harnish of the North Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch announced that there are now 12 neighborhood watches and urged people to participate. Marilyn Marx has developed color coded street maps of the entire island and people can get a copy for their area from their neighborhood watch president.

A former police officer asked how it is that crack houses operate in full force but when there is a raid there is nothing there. Who is the tipster?

When anyone sees something illegal taking place call someone; police, your neighbors, etc. AND take pictures.

Straighten out sentencing. Longer sentences for major crimes while having one ganja cigarette gets many years.

I had a quiet word afterwards with one of the key people in police training, and he said the main reason people are now switched out quickly is that the longer they stay, the greater the likelihood that they will start getting offered and accepting bribes to do "favours". He agreed with me that really the only way to tackle this is to pay them more, especially here on AC where the cost of living is so high.