The Belize Police Department has brought charges against a trio of men for their alleged involvement in gang activity. Earlier today, forty-four-year-old Ian Arthurs, a resident of Rivero Street was charged with being a member of a gang. Also charged were twenty-four-year-old Kenroy Linares and twenty-four-year-old Eric Thompson.
Eric Thompson Kenroy Linares
These individuals are the latest to be arraigned for being members of a gang. On Thursday, thirty-one-year-old Austin Underwood and forty-eight-year-old Doris Grant were also arraigned on a similar offense. As we reported, the couple came under gunfire on Sunday morning while driving home from a concert even here in Belize City. Underwood and Grant were both injured in the shooting. They were treated and released before being arrested and charged.
Inspector of Police Christopher Martinez appeared before the Chief Magistrate today in a sensational case where the law enforcement officer is accused of physical abusing an individual who was in detention at the Raccoon Street Police Station. Aaron Flowers, a businessman, was inside a holding cell when he was reportedly struck over the head with a padlock. It is alleged that Inspector Martinez inflicted the injury on Flowers when he discovered that Flowers was the person who allegedly opened fire at his residence with a firearm. In court today, Flowers said that he has been harassed repeatedly and offered bribes by fellow police officers to drop the charges against Martinez. His attorney sought clarification of the sentencing indication should the officer plead guilty. The Chief Magistrate, who has set the matter for trial indicated, that her range of sentence will be guided by the law. Martinez is looking at possible jail time due to the nature of the offense. The Chief Magistrate also made it clear that she would be imposing a custodial sentence. With that, Martinez rejected the court offer and a date for trial was agreed upon. Of note is that Martinez’s attorney, Andrew Bennett, has since recused himself from the matter, leaving the police officer unrepresented.
If you were driving along the Coastal Plains Highway today, you may have had to reroute due to the heavy flooding that overtook a large portion of the road. While some drivers in larger vehicles were willing to take the risk and push through the water, smaller vehicles were forced to turn back when faced with up to thirty inches of water. Around midday, the road was closed for maintenance as the Ministry and Infrastructure and Development and Housing worked on resolving the issue. Tonight, we report that the water has since receded and the road is once again, open for access. The M.I.D.H. issued a statement informing the public that the ministry will continue to closely monitor the road conditions as further rainfall is expected throughout the weekend and advising all drivers to proceed with due care and attention. Motorists should also take note of the gauges present at the floodways that indicate water depth, use seat belts, adhere to the posted speed limits, and to not drink or text and drive simultaneously.
This morning, the Government of Belize inaugurated a new office space in San Pedro that houses the National Emergency Management Organization, the Department of the Environment and the Forestry Department. The opening of a D.O.E. office on Ambergris Caye is significant because of the rapid development that’s taking place on the island. The office space is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management and the Ministry of Sustainable Development. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“As we open the doors to these new offices, it is a testament to our unwavering dedication to conservation, to sustainable development and continued growth in our nation. This momentous occasion underscores our shared responsibility to nurture and protect the natural wonders that grace our nation, as well as the livelihoods of the people.”
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Ambergris Caye continues to develop rapidly. To keep up with the growth of the island, the Government of Belize has opened a multipurpose space in San Pedro. It includes an administrative center for the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, as well as an office for the Department of the Environment. Area Representative Andre Perez is also the Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Minister, Disaster Risk Management
“I want to especially welcome the DOE as a symbol of the government’s commitment to work hand in hand with our community to protect and sustain our precious environment. Development is important. Development, especially on Ambergris Caye, is fast-growing, but with that growth we also have to be very careful. As the person from the invocation said, we have to do it in a very sustainable manner. We have to be very… guiding ourselves with that very fine balance of development but at the same time preserving our environment that it is sustainable.”
As area rep for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez promised his constituents that all major government departments would have offices in San Pedro to facilitate an ease of doing business. The Ministry of Sustainable Development has made good on its word.
Orlando Habet
“The establishment of these sub offices of the Department of the Environment, the National Emergency Management Organization and the Forest Department signifies the Government of Belize’s commitment really signifying that this is part of Plan Belize. The primary mandate, collectively, for these departments will be to ensure that the entire Ambergris Caye and surrounding areas, including Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel, develop in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.”
The DOE’s presence on the island ensures that all major development projects are properly monitored and environmentally compliant.
Orlando Habet
“This will be done through operational, advisory and regulatory strategies to address current and future anthropogenic threats to the islands such as rapid tourism development, clearing of mangroves, the dredging of the seabed, land filling and improper management or liquid, solid and hazardous waste.”
Chief Environmental Officer, Anthony Mai reiterated the importance of a collaborative approach to safeguarding the environment.
Anthony Mai
Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer
“I always say this and I will say it again today, that the environmental challenges that affect Belize cannot be resolved by the DOE alone and so we need all key partners in order for us to manage the Jewel.”
Development and conservation can coexist harmoniously when sustainability is prioritized. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
The rains of the past week have brought on new challenges for people in the flood-prone areas, but it was just over a month ago that the country was praying collectively for some rains to quell the raging wildfires that were sweeping through so much of the rainforest and farmland. Today News Five asked the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet for an update on how bad the wildfires really were. He said that NEMO was preparing a final assessment and so was the Forestry Department.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“From our side, the Forest Protection Agency, we’re doing a comprehensive assessment. We’re looking at satellite images trying to move out those areas that were affected last year and fires from two years ago. And so you can only hone down on what happened this year and to really come up with those pictures and possibly a value because of emissions. So it’s underway; we already have some pictures, already satellite images. We have been collaborating with other institutions, NASA, and so we’re getting that information and hopefully within the next week or so we’ll be able to finalize that and take it to Cabinet to do a Cabinet information paper.”
How all of this will factor into Belize’s standings at this year’s COP Conference in terms of carbon credits and the benefits we are seeking is yet to be determined. Habet said that while a lot of the forests were burnt, only about ten percent of it was irretrievably destroyed. The rest, he said will regrow with time, and the current rains, coupled with the ashes that formed after the infernos are good for that regrowth to occur.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“We lose some credits if we cannot show that we prevented certain emissions. Really, we initially painted a picture of the area got burned and destroyed. It wasn’t burned and destroyed. They were affected by fire, but only about 10 percent from the information I’m getting was damaged to the extent that it will not regenerate. But most of it will regenerate. Now that the rains have come out, now all those seeds that are on the ground will find fertile soil, especially with the ashes providing a natural environment for growth. And so some of the fires were good for the Pine Ridge Mountain. The area near San Antonio, where we have the protected area for the Elijio Panti National Park, there was some damage, not extensive, but there was some damage. And so all that will be assessed so that we can put a value to it.”
Two weeks ago, the business community of Santa Elena and San Ignacio came out to meet with the Commissioner of Police to share concerns on the issue of crime. Of recent, there has been a few robberies and a murder, particularly since the Hawkesworth Bridge was closed a month ago for refurbishment. Robbers have used that closure to their advantage and have staged attacks on persons on the Santa Elena approach of the bridge, out of the reach of the San Ignacio Police Station. Today, Cayo Northeast Area Representative, Orlando Habet told News Five that a group is to be formed to address the crime issue in the twin towns.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast
“I know that they have met amongst themselves with the police department. There is a group that was supposed to be formed, and that group needs to be formed quickly. I think the mayor is still out of the country. So that then there is that collaborative effort amongst all the players. So the police, the Area representatives for the three constituencies, and also with the municipality through the mayor.”
The 2024 Lobster season opens at the beginning of July. Lobster is a huge income earner for fisherfolks and restaurant owners in prime tourist destinations like Ambergris Caye. So, islanders go big at the start of the season with their thirteen-day Lobster Fest. It’s the largest celebration at the opening of the season in the country. Last year, Lobster Fest drew more than five thousand visitors to the island. Ahead of this year’s calendar of events, the Belize Tourism Board organized a press trip to get an inside look at how Lobster Fest has evolved across the country over the years and its impact on the communities that host them. Rebecca Arcero chairs the event’s planning committee.
“Originally it started with the idea that June and July were slow months for San Pedro for tourism. We needed to build up Tourism and we needed an idea to draw people in. So the idea was that the opening of Lobster season was an ideal draw. Everyone loves lobster. So these association members came up with the idea that we will do a pre party in the night before everyone is gearing up to go the following the day. Then we would have an opening day event followed by a block party. Originally we had three days, a pre-party and opening party and then a block party. The first year had about eight participants in terms of businesses in terms of booths. We are now up to twenty five booths and two weeks of events leading up to that block party and last year we had five thousand people attend. And I have to say it is really the dedication of the community that has thus growing because they participate, organize the event. We coordinate, but it’s their venue that makes it exciting, makes it appealing.”
We also heard from one business owner on the island that has been participating in the San Pedro Lobster Fest since its inception. Ana Najarro has had to increase her staff from one to fourteen employees during Lobster Fest. She is an example of the economic impact this event has on the island.
Ana Najarro
Ana Najarro, Dianitas Food And Catering
“I was very late and I called Ms. Rebecca and I said Ms. Rebecxa do you have a spot. She said unfortunately they didn’t have and it seemed like when they started they only had like fifteen or twenty booths around and she didn’t have a tent and I said don’t worry about the tent I will find one. So yes I am one of the few that had been there for seventeen years. The only two years I didn’t do lobster fest was when there was COVID. The crawl goes to several businesses. I don’t go into the crawl. I start preparing for lobster fest two or three months before because like I said I have been there. I started with me being solo at my booth to now having fourteen, fifteen staff members for the nights.”
Water, light, and a structure to provide shelter from the elements are things many people have grown to take for granted, but for Yuri Choc and her family of ten, it is all they are asking for. In early May, the family was displaced after a fire destroyed their home and have since been living in a building used by the local church for a kitchen. This structure has no beds, plumbing, and no space for her children and elderly parents to live comfortably. We visited Choc in Trio Village today, so she can, once again, make an appeal to the public.
Yuri Choc
Yuri Choc, Fire Victim
“When the house started burn I think the ashes dropped on top of the house. Then da right there we see that the house don catch fire and we can’t wet it because we no got no water and the well dry. That’s why the house get burned too, if we got any water, at least we got the water in the well, maybe we could try save the house, but we never have no water in the well, it’s dry.”
Britney Gordon
“Where have you guys been living now that the house burned down? Where are you staying?”
Yuri Choc
“We stay in the church and kitchen, that’s where we stay right now. Yeah, because ney tell we make, we stay right there at the church kitchen. Da right with dih stay but we know can’t take long right there.”
Britney Gordon
“What what’s it like living in this house? Do you guys have beds? Water. How is it there?”
Yuri Choc
“I ah tell you the truth, we not got no water. The church weh paat ney have the kitchen. ney not got no water. We barely get some water with neighbor. We just ask some ney have and some ney no have. And we not got no bed and everything get burned in the house and all the kitchen stuff all get burned. Yeah, everything get burned and we don’t got nothing. We never save no clothes.”?
Britney Gordon
“Have you received any help recently? Has anyone reached out to you and offered you support?”
Yuri Choc
“Yes, I want to tell you the truth. We received twenty bags of cement, but only cement we get help for that, but we need them like zinc or blocks or sand at least somebody could support me for the zinc or sand or blocks and steel. We need everything for the house.”
Choc and her family can be reached at the number six-six-five-eight-five-five-seven.
