With 2014 already half way finished, Officer in Charge of San Pedro Police Luis Castellanos has issued crime statistics for June 2014 and reports on the island’s crime activity over the past six months. According to Castellanos, major crime on the island is now under control and there seems to be a healthier relationship between the police and the community.
January to May 2014 saw four murders and a slight increase in burglaries and shooting incidents. After a spike in crime during the month of March, San Pedro Police received assistance from the Belize Police Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), the Belize Anti-Drug Unit (ADU) and the Belize City Quick Response Team (QRT) in stabilizing the situation on the island. San Pedro Police, along with Belize City Police also launched “Operation Clear Water” that started on Friday, June 20th to Sunday, June 22nd.
The on-going operation consists of personal searches and house searches of any suspicious persons and aimed at reducing drug possession on the island. The operation has resulted in the retrieval of 637.7 grams of suspected cannabis and two grams of suspected cocaine. Also as part of the operation police found an assortment of contraband goods on Friday, July 4th. The search was conducted at a residence due to intelligence police had receive, and it resulted in the finding of five quarts of Don Julio Tequila, seven liters Absolute Vodka, two liters Grey Goose Vodka and seven liters Jose Cuervo Tequila. The accused, 27-year-old Samuel Cruz and 24-year-old Iliana Cob, were officially handed over to the Belize Customs Department and they were fined $5,973 for the contraband goods. Since the operation began, police have cracked down on the possession of controlled drugs and there are less reported incidents involving drugs.
However, while severe crime on the island is decreasing, burglaries, robbery and theft has seen a slight increase from three reported cases in May to 11 in June.“Burglaries have suddenly increased in June and seem to be a trend. We believe that the culprit(s) may be linked to all these burglaries. During the slow season people are more desperate for money and that lead to burglaries” said OC Castellanos. OC Castellanos warns the community that anyone found in possession of stolen goods can be charged with “Handling Stolen Goods”.
The San Pedro Police has started community policing projects and youth education programs such as the San Pedro Youth Cadet Corps Program and the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) Program. “It is important that the police have a good relationship with the community. The police are here to work in partnership with the community to help prevent and reduce crime. Only by working together can we enhance the quality of life for a safer San Pedro,” said OC Castellanos.
To contact the San Pedro Police call at phone number 206-2022 or visit the San Pedro Police Station on Pescador Drive. To report crimes anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922-8477.
