By Aaron Humes: The quietude of Bella Vista Village, Toledo District, has been shattered by a troubling rise in violent crime. Since late August, there have been four murders reported in the village; a fifth person, a mother, was severely wounded, while an armed robbery was also noted.
The violence began in August with the fatal stabbing of Franklin Arenivar de Alas; September saw twenty-four-year-old Narjin Ceron shot dead in his home during a late-night attack, while his partner, Nickey Logan, was severely wounded while trying to protect their young child; October brought an armed robbery at Zhun Hung Store, leading to the arrest of a nineteen-year-old mechanic, followed by the murder of barber Marcus Che in his barbershop in November.
In the wake of 25-year-old Archibald “Fafa” Ferrill’s killing on Christmas Day, police say they have no information creating a ‘nexus’ between the incidents. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stacy Smith made note that drug sales are one factor in the general increase of crime in the area: “The administration has recognized, indeed, this influx and we have made administrative changes as it relates to the personnel, in terms of putting more operational as well as intelligence personnel there. But what we know so far is that these incidents, whether connected or not, are suggested to be driven by the sale of drugs in that area.”
Concerns about gang influence in Bella Vista have also been raised, but: “There is always a concern about gang culture wherever in Belize,” ASP Smith remarked while reassuring the public of ongoing efforts to tackle such issues by the GI-3 Unit.
Partially in response to the surge in crime and the growing needs of the Intermediate Southern Formation (ISF) based in nearby Independence, Stann Creek, the Ministry of Home Affairs has commenced the construction of a new police sub-station funded by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). Kareem Musa, then Minister of Home Affairs, expressed optimism about the project back in October: “…the construction of the Bella Vista Police Station…will provide security for all residents and surrounding villages.” Village chairman Jose Morales echoed this sentiment: “As a growing community, we believe this construction of a new police station is a very important project.” Notably, the foundation of the planned building contains destroyed confiscated firearms, meant to symbolize the burial of the past and looking toward a peaceful future.
While the police acknowledge that gang violence is not currently the primary concern in Bella Vista, they remain vigilant and committed to addressing the root causes of crime. As the community awaits the completion of the new police station, residents hope for a swift return to peace and safety in their village.
The post After latest violence in Bella Vista, growing community on edge as Police respond appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The quietude of Bella Vista Village, Toledo District, has been shattered by a troubling rise in violent crime. Since late August, there have been four murders reported in the village; a fifth person, a mother, was severely wounded, while an armed robbery was also noted. The violence began in August with the
The post After latest violence in Bella Vista, growing community on edge as Police respond appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
