High ranking officials convened in San Pedro to offer assistance. (l-r) OIC San Pedro Dennis Arnold, Senior Superintendent in charge of the Cayo detachment David Henderson, Deputy Commissioner Allan Whylie, Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby, Commander of the Belize Coast Guard Cedric Borland and Lieutenant Colonel Omar Pullido from the Belize Defense Force.

“The Belize Defense Force is brought here to assist not to ignore the cries of help from the community. They ignored my call for help and I am saying this, not to criticize but to bring to light the fact that person relations skills are needed in the force,” commented Bernabe Badillo.

The Belize Electricity Limited has already begun to repair many of the lights on the island that had for long been not working. It is the San Pedro Police Department’s hopes that more lighting will assist in the fight against crime.

    Present for the town meeting were Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Pullido from the Belize Defense Force, Commander of the Belize Coast Guard Cedric Borland, General Lloyd Gillett Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the Ministry of National Security, Deputy Commissioner Allan Whylie, Senior Superintendent in charge of the Cayo detachment David Henderson, Officer in Charge of the San Pedro detachment Assistant Superintendent of Police Dennis Arnold, Mayor Elsa Paz and Honorable Manuel Heredia.

    Once formalities were made, each member individually presented themselves and spoke of the work being done to ensure the safety of the citizens and tourists of Ambergris Caye. CEO Gillett stated that the Government of Belize has budgeted for 15 Special Constables to work out of San Pedro Town. Five of those posts have already been filled but ten remain open, “I know that $900 - $1,000 stipend may not be enough, but it is what we are offering to those willing to serve the community in the safety capacity.” He went on to comment that unfortunately there are other “powers” that are leading to the steady increase in crime incidences throughout the country of Belize and these include the high cost of fuel, high cost of food and the high unemployment rate. “We are lacking capital including human resources but it does not matter how much we may have, we all still need to work together to combat crime. There will never be enough resources, we just have to band together and take back our community,” he stressed. CEO Gillett acknowledged the presence of the President of the People’s Coalition, Alfonzo Wiltshire, who has been working, along with his committee, with the San Pedro Department in an effort to offer as much assistance as may be needed.

    Commissioner Westby stated that he receives daily reports from all detachments across the country, “It is something that I monitor very closely.” Along with eliminating the culprits, Westby stressed that he does and will not condone police misbehavior. “It was apparent that former Officer in Charge Patt did not act in a manner befitting an officer. He, along with two other officers who are on interdiction, suffered the consequences of their actions. But, there were another two officers who have also had to have been replaced and they are now gone from the island. However, since losing members from the San Pedro detachment we feel like you should receive a few more. One Criminal Intelligence officer is not enough for the island so we are working on acquiring the services of a second one,” he explained. Westby went on to explain that for big events such as the Costa Maya Festival, the assistance of the Coast Guard (CG) has also been called upon and two additional CG vessels will be brought to the island. Along with the additional vessels, which will leave when the festival is through, other resources being brought to the island to stay will be six Belize Defense Force soldiers, two Special Branch officers as well as two additional Anti Drug Unit personnel.

    Borland of the CG stated that although the Belize Coast Guard has only been on operation for two years, their work has been much and they have managed to do well with the limited resources that they have on hand. One of the CG vessels remains on the island and is being used to curtail the maritime drug trade and the problem of overfishing. “However, we have been noticing that when robberies and crimes have taken place, criminals are taking to the sea. We want to be there to intercept them so if at anytime you, the community, feel that we need to be somewhere to offer assistance, all you need to do is call,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Belize Defense Force (BDF) Omar Pullido commented that the hardest challenge has been getting all organization to communicate better. “Crime is a problem that can not be fought by police officers alone. The help of the CG, BDF, Customs and Immigration are all needed. We are working on getting all the various organizations to work and communicate better.”

    Once the introductions and initial comments were made, the floor was open for question; some of the questions and comments included: *Why is it that officers are allowed to work shifts as security guards if you say that we are limited on human resources? Commissioner Westby explained that officers were allowed to work as off duty guards once their shifts have been completed at their department or if they are on day off. They, however, need to consult with their Officer in Charge and must wear their police uniforms. Arnold stated, “I prefer the police men and women to work as off duty security officers and making and honest extra buck rather than see them accepting bribes.” *Enforcement has been non-existent; the culture allows you to simply “look the other way.” *What is my right if someone is at my house or my neighbor’s house? How much force am I allowed to use? Commissioner Westby stated, “The law allows you to use the minimum force possible to overcome the threat that you may be facing.” *Am I allowed to the use of pepper spray or is that an illegal substance? Unfortunately, the panel was unable to answer the question and the public was told that a release from the police will be sent to pertinent organizations for dissemination. *”A friend faced a problem and instead of reporting the crime, she stated that she has no confidence in the police,” was a comment received, “A trusting and totally respectful relationship needs to be established with police officers.” Commissioner Westby mentioned that what is needed is more one-on-one between OIC Arnold and the public. Arnold stated that he has been meeting and greeting the community every Thursday, as well as attending many of the neighborhood watch meetings. “However, at these neighborhood watch meetings what I don’t see is the involvement of the local community members. The locals need to take a more proactive role and join the groups.” *The need for fixing many of the street lights was addressed and Mayor Paz commented that according to Belize Electricity Limited it is work that they have already begun to do.

    At the end of the meeting it was stated by CEO Gillett that the suggestions will be taken back to Belmopan to see how better to incorporate and apply them to the San Pedro detachment.