By Aaron Humes: Moving decisively to combat recent rising violence, the Government of Belize over the weekend announced a State of Emergency (SOE) for parts of the Belize District and most of Belize City to last for 30 days in the first instance.
Commissioner of Police, Dr Richard Rosado, today emphasized its necessity in response to “extraordinary circumstances” that have threatened public safety. The declaration was made following a thorough security assessment, leading to the detention of nine individuals believed to be linked to recent shootings and gang-related activities.
At a press briefing, Dr Rosado conveyed the gravity of the situation after multiple murders over the past week: “…we believe it was absolutely necessary based on the intelligence we have gathered and on the ground assessment that indicated an imminent danger to life and property. Hence, the recommendation was made, and it was subsequently declared. Our operational plan continues to be in effect. We have made some adjustments to our operational plan or enhanced our operational plan to improve the safety of the residents. But I can assure the law-abiding citizens that they have nothing to worry about in reference to the State of Emergency, as the SOE is targeted and specific to certain individuals and does not affect the law-abiding citizen in any way,” he stated.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Bart Jones, operations under the SOE will be meticulously targeted and data-driven. “It is no different or substantially different than the other regulations that accompany previous states of emergencies. But what you are going to see differently is that based on prior intelligence, persons will be detained and questioned and if the need arises for them to be detained beyond the normal questioning, then detention orders will be issued in respect to them. So it will not be operated as a carte blanche wholesale detention of persons, but based on intelligence, interviews, based on current investigations. Many of the persons currently detained are not only in relation to gang offences, but are also suspects in some of the recent and earlier shooting incidents and murders. So it is more targeted and focused than we have done it before,” Jones explained. It was noted that the Gang Intelligence, Investigation, and Interdiction Unit (GI-3) will be the sole specialized unit authorized to implement the SOE, while orders for detention of individuals will be countersigned by Deputy Commissioner Jones as chief legal officer and Minister of Home Affairs Oscar Mira.
The Deputy Commissioner further clarified the provisions of Statutory Instrument 50, containing regulations for implementation of the SOE. The provision that individuals cannot be gathered in groups of more than three will be sparingly enforced, but is legal, per DCP Jones. So too is the provision for a curfew for minors not to be unaccompanied on the streets in designated areas between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., which will be enforced. DCP Jones also clarified that the inclusion of Ladyville, Burrell Boom and the lower Belize River Valley villages in the SOE dragnet was to counter the possibility that wanted individuals would try to hide out in these areas, which have also seen violent incidents; of course, police in all formations would be on the lookout for such suspects, he told us.
Despite the police’s commitment to just enforcement, the declaration has reignited debates about its implications and legality. Critics, including legal experts and civil rights advocates, have voiced concerns that the measures may overstep constitutional boundaries. However, Dr Rosado framed its implementation as a vital tool for law enforcement. “The State of Emergency of activation of state of emergency is an extraordinary legal tool to combat extraordinary circumstances that traditional policing alone cannot neutralize and I believe that it is an indication of strategic strength, proactive leadership, rather than sitting down and having business as usual. It shows that as a department we are committed to doing whatever it takes to return normalcy to the streets,” he asserted.
The post Police: State of Emergency necessary to meet “imminent danger” in Belize City, District; nine held, and others may be sought appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: Moving decisively to combat recent rising violence, the Government of Belize over the weekend announced a State of Emergency (SOE) for parts of the Belize District and most of Belize City to last for 30 days in the first instance. Commissioner of Police, Dr Richard Rosado, today emphasized its necessity in response
The post Police: State of Emergency necessary to meet “imminent danger” in Belize City, District; nine held, and others may be sought appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.