 
The Belize Tourist Board in conjunction with the San Pedro Crime Committee presented the San Pedro Police Department with four new golf carts. The presentation ceremony was held on Barrier Reef Drive in front of the police station on Tuesday evening, August 18th, 1998. Those in attendance included police officers from the San Pedro and Caye Caulker police departments, Special Constables, Tourism Police Officers, members of the business community, Honorable Henry Young, Honorable Ruben Campos, United Democratic Party (UDP) Standard Bearer Manuel Heredia Jr., Director of Tourism Kevin Gonzalez and President of the Crime Committee Jack Westerhold. Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Harry Longsworth of the Palace Casino. Honorable Henry Young addressed the gathering and spoke of the importance of having proper transportation in order for the police department to serve the people of San Pedro. He spoke of the improvements to the department and the visible changes the department has undergone since the appointment of Assistant Superintendent of Police Rodolfo Oreo. Honorable Henry Young also said that he was made to understand that most crimes committed in San Pedro were being perpetrated by immigrants. He encouraged the members of the community to continue to work with the police officers to rid San Pedro of its criminal element. Director of Tourism, Kevin Gonzalez spoke about the determination of the police in San Pedro to make the town a safer place. Gonzalez also spoke about the immigrants who commit crimes while in San Pedro. "If you come here behave responsibly and abide by the law or we will deal with you like cockroaches and fumigate you out." He also spoke about the good job the Tourism Police were doing in Belize City and reported that they had received two new vehicles. Gonzalez gave a list of projects being worked on to improve police efficiency. Some of those projects include: acquiring a repeater that will enable all the police departments to communicate with each other; increasing marine patrols and Tourism Police patrolling; working on increasing mobilization within the departments, (vehicles will make patrolling more effective) and acquiring a computer for the San Pedro department. UDP Standard Bearer Manuel Heredia Jr., addressed the group briefly: "I will work with the community and the government to make San Pedro a peaceful place." He also spoke of the work that must be done to improve the department and the community as a whole. Gonzalez then invited Honorable Ruben Campos to present certificates of recognition to businesses and business people in San Pedro who have supported the police department. Those awarded were: Captain Morgan's Retreat, Belize Bank, Gecko Graphics, Ramon's Village and Atlantic Bank. The Vote of Thanks was carried out by Jack Westerhold.
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