Major Crimes Down in First Quarter, Police Target Further Drops

Major crimes for the first three months of this year are down when compared to the same time last year. That’s according to statistics shared today at the Belize Police Department’s first Computer Performance Statistics (COMPSTAT) meeting of the year. Police commanders from the various regions, divisions, and formations gathered at the training academy to discuss the country’s crime statistics. The presentation focused on the police’s performance as well as the overall crime rate across the country. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated that while murders and other major crimes are down so far, but the police are working to improve their strategy.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “I must say  it looks good.  It’s not what I would want it to be, certainly.  You would know that I am very big in terms of  preserving life.  Those type of crimes that affects life like murders and attempted murders and so forth are the ones that I would normally  do my best to guard against. And again, for the simple fact that  they do affect the livelihoods of others.  Nonetheless, the murders are down compared to last year. We are four below last year’s figure and overall major crime is down by 7 % compared to the same period last year. So I am happy that I am handing over to the incoming commissioner with a crime rate below last year’s figure. And that, for me, is good. So moving forward I just hope that the Police department is going to be able to continue to function the way we have functioned over past six plus years.  There’s a lot of work  that needs to be done and the public depends heavily on the effectiveness of the police. And so making sure that the police remain effective is important. And that’s the reason why this morning in the COMSTAT I made mention to the commanders that this is going to be my last COMSTAT that with them. And I encourage them to show their support behind the incoming commissioner because at the end of the day, they cannot be divided. Unity is strength. And if they remain united, they will be able to overcome whatever challenge or challenges that may come their way. The Bible says that a house that is divided against itself will never stand and so I encourage them to make sure that they do not  be divided, but rather that they unify for the greater good of this country.”

The meeting also gave the department a chance to assess whether its crime-fighting strategies have been effective.