No Decision Yet on Extension of State of Emergency, Says Police Commissioner

With a noted peace, particularly in Belize City, the question has been posed time and time again as to whether officials will extend the State of Emergency (SoE).  Some weeks ago, our newsroom was told that the authorities was contemplating the extension.  Up to news time tonight, a final decision is yet to be taken on the matter.  Police Commissioner Chester Williams says he met with those imprisoned under the SoE on Tuesday.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “That has not yet been finalized. I met with the people under the SOE two days ago and I have laid the cards on the table for them. They all said that they want this gang issue to stop. They want to be released and come home to their families and I said to them if they can see how peaceful the country has been since they were detained it simply goes to show that they were the problem. They conceded to that and pledged that coming out of prison if the SOE is not extended they will work with the programs that we have in place. Brother Nuri has committed to work with them continuously to see how he can help them to overcome whatever issues they may have and I said to them the same way you all can live together in prison why can’t you live this way when you’re out on the streets ? You don’t need to be in prison to live this way. And they agreed. But the important thing I said to them was that since you so want to change your life, you don’t want to go back to the gang life you used to live, you don’t want to go back to the shooting and killing of others then surrender your guns, you don’t need it. You’re no longer a gang member surrender your guns. They agreed that they’re going to surrender their guns so we’ll see how that goes. But at the end of they day they have to understand that as a society we have had enough of their lifestyle because they make our law abiding people feel unsafe in our country and we cannot countenance that.”

The State of Emergency took effect on June 24.