A land dispute in the Faber’s Road Extension area has left one man dead. On Sunday night, a single gunshot was fired in the direction of Stephen Jorgenson during a quarrel he was having with a relative over a piece of land he was occupying on Rio Bravo Crescent. His alleged killer, identified as Bernard Talbert, is on the lam and police are looking for him in Belize District. This morning, the Belize Police Department issued a wanted poster for information on Talbert’s whereabouts. He is also considered armed and dangerous. Here is more from Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero.
“On Sunday, March third, around 8:45 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at Rio Bravo Crescent whereupon arrival they saw Stephen Jorgenson with a gunshot injury. Paramedics arrived at the location and thereafter he was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigation revealed that Stephen Jorgenson was at home when Bernard Talbert arrived there and they had a dispute over land. Bernard Talbert produced a firearm and fired one shot causing the fatal injury. We are presently looking for him. He is wanted for the crime of murder.”
Reporter
“Was he holding the family hostage, sir? That’s what we heard.”
Hilberto Romero
“No. He came there and they had a dispute and he pointed the firearm at the other family members who were at the house at the time.”
Reporter
“There are allegations that he may have made threats to the family sometime aback. Are you aware?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, they had issues over the land where the murder happened and so he came back with a firearm and shot the deceased.”
Reporter
“Any idea where the suspect might have fled?”
Hilberto Romero
“We are looking for him at this time. We believe he is in the rural area. Yes, webelieve he is armed and dangerous. He is in possession of a firearm.
Reporter
“Is it a licensed firearm?”
Hilberto Romero
“We have not traced that it is a licensed firearm.
Sixty-three-year-old American national, Anke Doehm, was convicted of cruelty to a child and remanded to prison until her sentencing on Thursday, March 14. High Court Judge Derick Sylvester remanded Doehm based on the unanimous guilty verdict returned by a nine-member jury. The court found that Doehm willfully neglected her adopted daughter thirteen-year-old Fay Lin Cannon, between January first, 2017 and July third, 2017, in San Pedro Town. Despite Doehm’s claims of innocence, the Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl Lynn Vidal argued that Fay Lin suffered neglect and malnutrition, ultimately leading to her death. During the trial, the D.P.P. presented several pieces of evidence, including testimony from Cannon’s sister and medical reports, alleging that Doehm failed to provide proper care for her daughter, leading to her death from chest compression injuries. Doehm’s attorney, Adolph Lucas Senior, argued that it was Doehm’s husband who was responsible for Fay Lin’s death. He said that Fay Lin was entrusted to David Doehm who committed suicide months later. Lucas told the jury that his client left Fay Lin in David’s care after she was diagnosed with cancer. The jury did not buy it and unanimously found Doehm responsible for Fay Lin’s untimely death.
A woman who attacked her husband with a knife on Saturday morning was detained by police following the incident, but it is not certain if any charges will be brought against her. That is because the virtual complainant has indicated that he does not want any charges to be brought against the woman The incident happened in the family yard through Rhaburn’s Alley in Belize City and it reportedly erupted after the man accused her of having an affair with someone else, and then slapped the breakfast that she had just served him off the table. Enraged by his accusation and behaviour, the woman walked out of the yard, but returned, reportedly armed with a knife and attacked him. The two then had a scuffle, during which the man was injured superficially. Within a minute a family member intervened and disarmed the woman of the knife. Today News Five visited the residence where the victim said that they have worked out their problems and that he does not want any court action against his common-law-wife.
A twenty-year-old Ladyville resident is dead following a road traffic accident on Sunday. According to reports, William Faux was riding his motorcycle on the Airport Road in Ladyville when he collided into a white SUV. Aux was flung from his bike and sustained severe injuries to the head and body. Unfortunately, the twenty-year-old died at the scene. Police are yet to issue an official report on this incident.
A police officer of San Ignacio has been arrested and charged for sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the San Ignacio Police Station. The incident which was captured on surveillance camera happened on Valentine’s Day, February fourteenth. A forty-year-old woman who was on duty at the precinct reported that Durman Dawson, an officer whom she has known for the past nine years, groped her. When she reacted by smacking him, while attempting to free herself, Dawson then physically assaulted her. It’s a repulsive video, one that Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has also reacted to.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I found that video to be extremely disgusting and troubling and right away, upon seeing it, I gave directives that the police corporal be arrested and charged and interdicted from duty. And my exact words were this, I am going to tell you, I’m just going to remove the profanities, that we are in an organization where men believe that this is a man’s job. We have gone beyond that now, this is no longer a man’s job, it is a job for both men and women and as male or as men in this organization, we must respect our women counterparts. We cannot be in an environment where the women believe that they have no say or that they have no rights and that the male can just trample over them. So long as I sit as Commissioner of Police, I am not going to allow or entertain any such behavior on the part of any male police officers and it was on that premise that I instructed what needs to be done. Again, it shows that the cameras inside the station are extremely helpful to us because like you have there with you the footage from the police station. It shows exactly what transpired and we were able to act decisively, based on that.”
A fight inside Tabu Nightclub in San Ignacio on Sunday morning resulted in the arrest of forty-two-year-old Rajiv Mehmi, the proprietor of the establishment. Police report that they responded to the location and saw Mehmi who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Mehmi reportedly approached the officers and shoved him in the chest. A search of the businessman yielded a firearm which he was asked to produce a license for. He then, reportedly, said he needed to call his wife to locate the license. The call was instead placed to the officers’ superiors back at the station who instructed them to release Mehmi and return his firearm. When Mehmi was given the firearm, he allegedly loaded the weapon and raised it in the officer’s direction before insulting him. Here’s more from ComPol Chester Williams.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“That’s a matter that I find extremely troubling and I explained that this morning to officers in conference that I do not endorse the actions of the O.C. in terms of releasing the man. Yes, the man has a story that is inconsistent with what the officers are saying. He was already in custody, they could have arrested and verified which of the two sides were not telling the truth and then, based on that, make a determination. But for the O.C. to have just ordered that the man be released without even investigating to see whether or not he‘s telling the truth or the officers are telling the truth, I find that to be extremely wrong and I told that to Mr. Franco this morning in conference. I have since directed that they put together an investigative team because I am sure that the liquor establishment has cameras and should be able to pick up what exactly transpired, as well as the police station also has cameras that should pick up what transpired. So I have directed the Western Regional Commander to ensure that the investigative team goes to these different locations, retrieve the camera footage, look at it and based on that, we‘re going to make a determination. Now, in terms of the man being intoxicated or believed to have been intoxicated while in possession of a firearm then by all means my policy is, and I am extremely strict where that is concerned, that the firearm should have been confiscated by the police and the proper investigation conducted and maybe even go to the extent of charging him for being in possession of a firearm whilst under the influence. That was not done and again, I have an issue with that.”
Tonight on Meet the Candidates, we hit the streets with the People’s Democratic Movement, a third party led by Estevan Perera Senior. They are contesting the seats at City Hall and are hoping to form the next Belize City Council. In tonight’s episode, we will introduce you to several of the candidates who share their reasons for joining the political fray. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The viability of a third-party option in today’s political landscape is one that the masses of Belizean voters are yet to fully grasp. Traditionally, most of the ballots cast on election day are in favor of the established mass parties. Independents and third party candidates are often seen as nothing more than nominees whose votes take away from either of the two recognized political organizations, in this case, the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party.
Estevan Perera Sr.
Estevan Perera Sr., Mayoral Candidate, P.D.M.
“The time is ripe. It is not me who’s going to win this election, it is the people of Belize that will win this election because they are fed up, they are tired and they want something new. They want changes and the only changes [that] will come is with the People’s Democratic Movement.”
Estevan Perera Sr. is not a newcomer to electoral politics. In fact, he has run on previous occasions and those bids were unsuccessful. This time, however, he has assembled a team of councilor candidates that is supporting his bid for City Hall. Together, they are the People’s Democratic Movement.
Marcela Meighan
Marcela Meighan, Councilor Candidate, P.D.M.
“Being a part of PDM is simply because with my identity, I want to be able to bring that to Belizeans as well. Know who you are, know what you stand for so that at the beginning of the day and at the ending of the day you are confident with the things that you have done with the choices that you have made.”
PDM boasts three female candidates. Alisha Eaghan is twenty-one years old and this is her foray into politics at the municipal level.
Alisha Eaghan
Alisha Eaghan, Councilor Candidate, P.D.M.
“As a young person, all of us want change and I want a change too. I just want all of us to come together, it doesn’t matter what age you are, we all have the same basic needs and the same wants too, so that’s why I decided to join PDM.”
Isani Cayetano
“How prepared are you that once you are elected on March sixth that you hit the ground running, in terms of getting the work done?”
Alisha Eaghan
“I am very prepared. I am very prepared. I am willing to, you know, do what it takes and also, I am taking this head-on, I come with all the power I’ve got, so there is nothing no one can do or say that will change my attitude or our attitude as a movement for our country Belize.”
Third parties often focus on specific issues that may not receive adequate attention from the major parties. By championing niche causes, they bring these topics to the forefront of public discourse.
George Myvett
George Myvett, Political Advisor, P.D.M.
“My reason for stepping to the fore, in terms of the PDM, is that I feel that the time has come for change. The both of the, quote-unquote, mass parties have been playing musical chairs both at the municipal level, as well as at the national level and it has not been well for the citizens of Belize City and certainly not the country, and you can measure it any way. You can measure it in terms of crime, you could measure it in terms of poverty, you can measure it in terms of literacy. All the indicators are there.”
And the PDM is looking closely at those pointers with a view to address the root causes from a social perspective. As a movement, it seeks to give a voice to the marginalized communities and advocate for their rights.
Zenobia Young
Zenobia Young, Councilor Candidate
“We all are taxpayers, so they are saying [that] we need to stop the wasteful spending of taxpayers money. So, as a result of that, if we are elected on March sixth, thirty days after that, post election, thirty to ninety days, I’d say, we are going to work on releasing an audit report to the public so that we can include the citizenry in what we’re doing.”
Wayne Joseph
Wayne Joseph, Councilor Candidate
“I’ve been on the ground working and campaigning and I’ve interacted with a lot of folks and if the Belizean people, they vote like how they talk, we shouldn’t have a problem. We should be…easy victory for us because a lot of people, a lot of Belizeans are fed up with both parties. They are fed up and they want a change and the People’s Democratic Movement is here for that.”
The People’s United Party’s municipal slate today released its 2024-2027 Manifesto at the Swift Hall in Belize City. The document titled “Stay Pan Track” encapsulates how a new P.U.P. Belize City Council slate will address the needs and concerns of over seventy thousand residents of the ten zones in Belize City, if it is re-elected to office on Wednesday. While the party’s detractors have used the late launch to suggest that the P.U.P. does not have a solid plan, today the former mayor and his former deputy, Allan Pollard Junior, clarified that he and his team had to first go and meet with the residents to come up with the priority areas that they need to address. News Five’s Marion Ali was present for the launch and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The launch of the P.U.P.’s manifesto comes a mere two days before Wednesday’s municipal elections. In presenting the document, former Deputy Mayor, Allan Pollard, Jr., explained that the candidates had to meet with the residents first. He shared a few of those demands from the residents.
Allan Pollard
Allan Pollard, Councilor Candidate, P.U.P.
“It is only when the people are being real is when we understand their position and their needs. And it is only when we are being real with them and real with ourselves that we can deliver for them. So, yes, we did a lot of streets, but we need more drains. Yes, we have the downtown super sale on Saturdays, but weh wi wa do pahn Sunday? And yes, Minister, Gungulung look like “States” (applause) but the people want know when wi wa reach Pen Road Extension, and Krooman. (Chuckles…inaudible response) Definitely, thanks, PM. And we love the Berger Field (applause) but we want one back ya da Lake-I and Mr Usher, wi want one fi Jane Usher [Boulevard] as well. Yes, we had six cohorts of the B-CAP program that assisted many small businesses, and had owners with start-up capital, but we are ready, Mayor, for cohort seven, eight, nine, ten. We are listening, people, and we heard you loud and clear. This document is proof of that.”
In the manifesto, the P.U.P. Municipal slate proposes to replace the Belize City Swing Bridge and the Belcan Bridge, rehabilitate two hundred more streets, maintain and shape a hundred and fifty miles of drains throughout the city, and work with the Belize Tourism Board to promote a cleaner city. Former Mayor, Bernard Wagner, who is making his third bid for that post, agreed that although it is one municipality, there are different needs coming out of the ten areas of Belize City.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.
“How wi could bring out wa manifesto weh could represent the people before wi meet the people. Ih can’t happen that way. Wi had to ensure that this document weh seh “Stay Pahn Track really reflect what the people want in the city. The people – da wa fliud situation. The needs of the people are diverse. The needs of residents living in the Collet or the Port Loyola areas are different from the needs of people living in a Freetown or living in a Caribbean Shores constituency, soh all ah this da wa mix and as we traversed, we understood the mix and we understood the needs and we understood that listen, everybody has needs, but some needs are different. So we ensured that we captured all of those needs within the scope of our “Stay Pan Track” manifesto.”
Prime Minister, John Briceño, who was present for the occasion, told the gathering that a manifesto that is for the people should reflect what the people need.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño “A city is more than just streets and drains and picking up the garbage. A city is where you can make a vibrant community, where you feel happy, where you can feel safe, where you can create opportunities, that you can say I am a proud resident of Belize City. We have to continue the work, we have to stay pahn track to continue the development of Belize City. We have to stay pahn track if we will get the bridges done, and fix the streets, and the drains and the parks, and help young people.”
The candidates all attached their signatures to the manifesto during the presentation of the document today. Belize City, which forms one of the nine municipalities that will hold elections on Wednesday, has eleven of the sixty-seven seats countrywide. Marion Ali for News Five.
The political climate in San Ignacio and Santa Elena makes for an interesting one all because for the past three years, the Mayor and one of the councillors were U.D.P., while the remainder of the councillors were P.U.P. While that equation brought on its own challenges due to continued internal bickering among councillors and a mayor that did not see eye-to-eye, history has shown that most times, city or town halls that hail from the opposing side have even more challenges when they have to work with a different government. Today, the P.U.P.’s Mayoral candidate for Belize City, Bernard Wagner agreed that having political alignment makes the work easier and that much more can be accomplished, and that the team that he has is one that is formidable with a positive energy.
Bernard Wagner, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P
“The main thing there is about ensuring that you have a national and a sub-national government working in tandem. That’s what development occurs when you have synchronicity and you have the same energies and you have the sub-national and the national being at the same political persuasion. That’s how development occurs in any modern city. Clearly, the pandemic was always an issue with us getting on track because that really took away from all our resources. I know that has been getting back to where it normally is. And we are confident that we are able to work in tandem with national government to drive development for the city.”
Reporter
“Mayor, specifically on drainage, what is the commitment if you win again?
Bernard Wagner
“Getting back to the basics -drainage. We have done a lot of streets, and drainage is always not sexy, but we want to ensure that we get back to the basics: chopping the grass, digging the drains, ensuring the streets are maintained, the parks are maintained, but never forgetting that we have 730 streets in the city, and some of those still need the occasional repairs. I believe that this team really, have a better type of energy, positive energy, always important in any team. You can’t say what will happen in the future, but you’ll, manage it.”
One of the questions posed to Wagner had to do with the source of campaign financing. The former mayor said that financing for their campaign is not an issue that he is responsible for or tasked to come up with. In fact, Wagner indicated that it is his party’s national entity that is tasked with coming up with the funds for their campaign. And as for the coverage of the campaign, Wagner said that while he could not walk the city’s over seven hundred streets to reach every household, they’ve covered quite a lot by splitting up in groups.
Bernard Wagner, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.
“I just do my campaign. That is essentially what I do. I can’t worry about funding, who fund the ads – that is from a national perspective. So I don’t get involved with that. I make sure my energy is focused on the campaign.”
Reporter
Have you reached all divisions now?
Bernard Wagner
“I’ve went to all divisions, I may not have went on all streets. That’s very tough – 700 plus streets but I’ve covered a lot of ground and by splitting up the teams we have been able to maximize our efforts.”
