Residents of Cotton Tree Village Protest Gang Crackdown Under SOE

The police’s crackdown on alleged gang members has angered a handful of residents in Cotton Tree Village. It is the first time the small community outside of Belmopan has been caught under the SOE, sparking concerns among residents. Today, several women opposed the detention of their loved ones and denied that the village is home to gang elements. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says the community has been infiltrated by gang influence and men with criminal tendencies.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “We do have a number of elements who are originally from Roaring Creek but they have moved over and taken up residence in Cotton Tree and those people are among the group of persons who are terrorizing the western corridor. They commit burglaries, robberies, shootings from Cotton Tree all the way to the border area and so it is important for us to be able to capture those persons as a part of the SOE. Had we just left Roaring Creek and not Cotton Tree then they could always say that they no longer live in Roaring Creek but now live in Cotton Tree and detaining them would be a violation of their rights. So capturing Cotton Tree brings them to the fray and makes it better for us to be able to dea with them.” 

Police are yet to charge any of the villagers with gang offenses.