Commissioner of Police Addresses Concerns in Belize City Amidst Recent Shootings

On the heels of three men being shot, the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was on the ground in Belize City meeting with residents of the Neal’s Pen Road area. The commander-in-chief of the BPD met with senior commanders this morning and went out to quell the concerns of residents. In an exclusive interview with Love News, ComPol Williams explained that he was listening to The Morning Show when his attention was drawn to the concerns of one man. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: ” I was listening to The Morning Show this morning on Love FM when I heard a caller called in complaining that they are not seeing sufficient police presence in this area and that there was some increase in shooting activities and they were requesting to see more police presence. So we’re out here speaking to the residents and getting a feedback from them in terms of how they feel about the police presence and what they believe we can do to enhance how they feel from a security standpoint. I must say that the reception has been good. Many people are saying they do see the police on a daily basis just that with the construction of the road recently there has been a decline in the police patrol I guess due to the fact that the roads are under construction. So we’re seeing that the road is almost done so we should be seeing the police presence coming back the way it used to be but in the time being we can also look at doing motorcycle patrols and I have also said to the commanders in our meeting this morning to see how we can put back that foot patrol the caller called about this morning in the area to be able to provide that on the ground presence of the police within this particular area.”

Williams says the initiative is a part of his hands-on approach to crime fighting. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: ” Leadership is about listening to people and trying to do as best as you can to please those persons that you serve. I know we’ll not be able to please everybody but if it is that we can do our best and get the support from the majority then I think we’re on good footing.”

Reporter: Just following up from yesterday are any of the cameras that were donated maybe earmarked for this area ? 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “We do have cameras that are earmarked for this area. I think if you look at a post right ahead there there’s one of the cameras in this area. We do have others and other than those cameras we inaugurated yesterday we do have additional cameras that we had in place before and so the combination of what was inaugurated yesterday and what we had before is giving us good coverage across the city.”

Reporter: And in terms of the feedback from your officers this morning ? What sort of feedback did you get from your officers in terms of saying “You know we have to go out and engage residents.” 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Well I must say the officers in Eastern Division are well motivated. They continue to work under the stewardship of Mr.Romero. I believe that he has provided good leadership for them. He has their full support and as the Commissioner I come in and support them whenever the need comes.”

Williams added that the police will be moving to increase foot patrols in the city.