The San Pedro Police Department will soon be handed a new two storey wooden building complete with eight living quarters for our island officers. The construction of the new barracks was a project coordinated by a handful of businesspeople on Ambergris Caye and headed by Mukul Kanabar. After months of fundraising and slow but constant work, the project is almost completed.
The project began after years of frustration being expressed by successive officers at the helm of the San Pedro Police Formation. One of the main challenges expressed by police officers is housing, and despite having knowledge of the situation, the Government of Belize (GOB) has done little to address those issues. Kanabar and a group of businesspeople decided to embark on the project, which is estimated to have cost over $200,000.
The building is almost complete and is freshly painted with only minor water and electrical fittings and adjustments needed before it can be officially handed over to the San Pedro Police Department. A total of $185,768.60 was raised, and it has all gone towards the construction, including expenses for materials and labor.
On Friday March 21st, Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr went on record to say that the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of National Security would pledge $50,000 for immediate disbursement to be used for the barracks. According to the group spearheading the project, “the National Government has not yet contributed to this project, despite repeated pledges.” It is frustrating for the group, who has maintained that whether it is hotel tax, businesses tax or general sales tax – GOB “needs to start reinvesting the tax dollars from San Pedro back to our island for healthcare, public safety, infrastructure and education.”
According to Kanabar, the group is still accepting donations since the existing dilapidated barracks will still be used and the structure is in urgent need of major work. Those wishing to contribute to the cause can contact Mukul Kanabar at [email protected] or Gricel Graniel at [email protected].
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