Local News
San Pedro Police hosts appreciation luncheon for outstanding officers
The San Pedro Police Formation hosted its first quarterly award recipient luncheon to honor the achievements of their officers and special constables on Tuesday, April 16th. The event took place at the Black Pearl Restaurant on Barrier Reef Drive, and senior staff and awarded officers for January through March were in attendance.
Crime & Violence
Two detained following the death of American citizen Jennifer Griffith
San Pedro Police have detained two individuals in connection with the death of Jennifer Lynn Griffith, a 46-year-old American national residing on the island. Griffith was hit in the head with a conch shell during an altercation on Saturday, April 6th, which resulted in her death.
Crime & Violence
San Pedro Police staying vigilant following State of Emergency declared on the mainland
Since March 26th, a state of emergency (SOE) has been implemented in some regions of southside Belize City, Hattieville Village, and Roaring Creek Village in the Cayo District. The motive behind this was to prevent any retaliation following three murders, one of which was a police officer. The police officers and Belize Defence Force soldiers have been targeting possible gang members in these areas. Therefore, many of them have fled to other parts of the country, including San Pedro Town. In the past week, the San Pedro Police Formation detained and removed several of these suspected gang members from the island.
Community and Society
Safety Measures for Easter Holiday
As the Easter holiday approaches, the Belize Police Department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users across the country. With an anticipated increase in traffic during this festive period, the police department's aim is to increase road safety across the country, which is aimed at preventing accidents and promoting responsible driving behaviours.
Community and Society
Two San Pedro Police officers and a Special Constable recognized
The San Pedro Police Formation continues to recognize the work of its members serving the island community. For February, they awarded Corporal DJenn Cayetano for outstanding leadership qualities. Julian Lopez was distinguished as Special Constable of the Month, and the Police Officer of the Month award went to Detective Constable Hubert Bermudez with the GI3 (gang intelligence) Unit.
Police News
Costa Rican national remanded for defrauding Belizean beach resorts
San Pedro Police formally charged 39-year-old Costa Rican national Christopher D'Angelo Alvarado Marchena for "Obtaining Property by Deception, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, and Possession of Controlled Drugs." Marchena was detained after being accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that defrauded two high-end Belizean beach resorts of thousands of dollars in unpaid services.
Community and Society
San Pedro officers recognized for their hard work
Several officers attached to the San Pedro Police Formation received awards on Tuesday, February 13th, for their dedicated efforts in maintaining law and order on the island. Inspector Darwin Serano presented the recognitions to the various officers who work in the different sections of the local Police Department.
Police News
Jasmine Hartin’s Drug Possession and Common Assault case adjourned to March
Canadian National and former resident of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Jasmine Hartin, was back at the Magistrate Court for the charges of Drug Possession and Common Assault. This time, her hearing was in Belize City on Friday, January 26th, where the case was adjourned to March 27, 2024. Before leaving the court, Hartin was required to meet a new security bail of BZ$2,500 cash. She met the bail and was allowed to leave.
Police News
Police Booth installed at San Mateo entrance
The police presence around the San Mateo subdivision north of San Pedro Town will increase after installing a police booth. On Monday, January 8th, the police booth was inaugurated at the entrance of San Mateo with the presence of local government officials and representatives of the San Pedro Police Formation.
Crime
Jose Mendoza convicted for the fatal stabbing of his father-in-law
Just before Christmas, former island resident Jose Ricardo Mendoza was convicted for the 2018 fatal stabbing of his father-in-law, Gaspar Vargas. Mendoza was tried at the High Court in Belize City, where he was given 25 years for the crime. He was sent back to the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison to start his sentence.
Crime & Violence
Tracey Betancourt found not guilty of Lamont Lipka’s murder
Former island resident Tracey Betancourt, 26, was found not guilty, in her absence, of Lamont Lipka’s 2018 murder during a hearing at the High Court in Belize City on Thursday, December 21st. Betancourt, who remains at large, had been jointly charged with Leon Walford, 38, for the murder of Lipka, an American national businessman in San Pedro Town. In July 2022, her verdict for murder was to be handed down; Betancourt was out on bail, absconded from the court hearing, and since then has been on the run. While she was not found guilty, the High Court noted that Betancourt could still face the escape charge because she voluntarily decided to abscond.
