August, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Armed Men Target Homes in Mountain Pine Ridge

Police are on the hunt for three men who are targeting homes in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Reports are that the men have already burglarized two homes and made off with cash and other valuables. They are still out there and, according to police, they are armed.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“There is some information that two or three armed men, two of dark complexion and one of Hispanic descent entered a home. And they ransacked the house in one instance, they took, I think, just over four hundred dollars and then in another house nearby, associated with the same first home, they took just over two hundred dollars and they left the area, no one was injured, and so police are looking at that matter.”

Police Pursuing Individual Who Knocked Down Lord Rhaburn

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has joined the call of Belizeans demanding that the individual who injured Gerald Rhaburn, popularly known as Lord Rhaburn, in a hit and run incident, come forward. As we reported, the eighty-eight-year-old was exiting a taxi on Thursday night on Coney Drive when a vehicle passed by hitting the taxi door and Rhaburn. He was treated for his injuries and later released from the hospital. But are police refusing to review every available surveillance camera in the area. Rhaburn’s family accuses the department of such. ComPol Williams denied the accusation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“That is not true. I know that I have received a complaint in that respect, and I had checked with Mr. Romero, who is the officer commanding Eastern Division, and he have assured me that they have checked the routes. They have found some footages, but the footages are not clear enough for the police to be able to identify exactly who the person or persons were in that vehicle that was involved in the hitting of Mr. Lord Rhaburn. The person who have the heart to knock down an elderly citizen is a heartless person. At the very least they ought to have stopped and see if the senior citizen was okay and have him referred to the hospital and take responsibility. You know, but when we have people who were just knocked down the elderly man or elderly woman and just drive off, then that is not a human being no more. So I would hope that the guilt is going to play on their conscience and they got to come forward and say you know what? I did it and I’m sorry. And then we can move on from there.”

No Update on PSB Investigation into Sgt. Devon Makin

Reporters also asked the Commissioner of Police for an update on the department’s investigation into Sergeant Devon Makin. He remains on duty in San Pedro and was even spotted next to ComPol Williams over the weekend at an endorsement convention for Andre Perez. Here is how the Commissioner of Police responded.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I believe I have commented enough about that matter and I’m not going to delve any further into that matter.”

Reporter

“He’s being sued.”

Chester Williams

“Well, the person has a right to be sued. Every, almost every day we get lawsuits from people, regarding the conduct of police officers. And in some cases, we win, in some cases we lose. And we continue to do as best as we can to minimize the number of lawsuits that we do get. Mr. Jones has been extremely busy dealing with human rights training, just about use of force and harm and the like, because our objective is always to make sure that we reduce the number of complaints made by the police. And we have made significant stride in that area. And as you as a member of the media, if you wish to be honest, you can affirm the fact that you’re not getting as many complaints about police brutality as you used to get in the past. So, we just need to continue to do what we have been doing over the past two to three years to make sure that we continue to take those reports down.”

CitCo Donates Back-to-School Packages to Primary Schools

Summer vacation is coming to an end and schools across the country are already resuming classes. In preparation, teachers are gathering supplies to ensure that students return to a clean welcoming environment. To assist with the process, the Belize City Council has donated cleaning supplies to every primary school in Belize City. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the ceremony today for more details. Here’s the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For children to learn effectively, they must be in an environment that is welcoming and safe. Ensuring that schools and classrooms are clean is a crucial part of providing a well-rounded education for children. The Belize City Council is donating cleaning supplies to every primary school in the city. Mayor Bernard Wagner emphasizes the importance of a clean environment

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“Education is very important. Many times, we have seen where children are in classrooms, but we just can’t have classrooms. We have to have clean classrooms. That is why we felt it important that we provided some cleaning and sanitation supplies as well to, to some of the principals. The thirty-one schools in the Belize City area, we felt it important. It’s the second year we are undertaking this activity. But it is really a very good activity because it contributes back to cleanliness. We have been singing about cleanliness. You can’t just speak every day about classroom but the classroom noh clean. You can’t talk about that you love Belize City, but you keep Belize City horrible. You have to, we have to be leaders in this culture change that is needed in Belize City in respect of how we keep our city clean.”

The donation is equivalent to about three months’ worth of supplies. Principal of Trinity Methodist School, Jamael Campbell says that this donation takes some of the burden off the shoulders of the staff that must prepare the school for the return of one hundred and eighty students.

Jamael Campbell, Principal. Trinity Methodist School

“As a primary school, we need the supplies here. Of course, it’s very expensive, very difficult to consume these this time of year. And so this puts us at an advantage that we don’t have to log out and use the phone to actually purchase these in the initial stages of school. So it’s very beneficial to us as a school, the students especially, who will get to benefit from this.”

The donation includes a stock of cleaning supplies, as well as school bags, funded by the council and members of the diaspora. Councilor Kaya Cattouse explains how this initiative came about.

Kaya Cattouse, Belize City Councilor

“This came after COVID And mostly there were cleaning supplies to ensure that the place was properly sanitized. At the time it was much needed a much needed package. And, it is still a much needed package, keeping the place clean. Clorox wipes different disinfectants school bags paper towels, things of that sort.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Alliance for Democracy Condemns UDP Chairman’s Claims

The Alliance for Democracy has strongly condemned the recent statement made by Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, claiming that Tracy Panton has “constructively resigned” from the United Democratic Party (UDP). The Alliance describes this claim as baseless and rooted solely in Panton’s public stance—along with that of other senior party officials—against repeated violations of the Party’s constitution.

The Alliance asserts that the Party Chairman lacks the authority to declare Panton’s resignation and considers his statement both absurd and disrespectful.

In a press release, the Alliance argues that the claim against Panton is particularly unfounded, as she and other senior officials have been deliberately excluded from the party’s communication channels.

The Alliance for Democracy also strongly opposes Chairman Peyrefitte’s decision to dismiss the Recall Petition, which it says was duly signed by 208 delegates to the National Convention. According to the Alliance, no explanation has been provided for the rejection, but it appears to hinge on 35 disputed signatures from delegates representing Port Loyola (9), Caribbean Shores (13), and Belize Rural South (13).

On Tuesday, Tracy Panton and Beverly Williams submitted a petition to the United Democratic Party (UDP) requesting the recall of Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow.

The Alliance for Democracy argued that there were no grounds for rejecting the petition. However, UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte stated that the petition only had 173 valid signatures, falling short of the required 176. He also claimed that Panton had effectively resigned from the UDP by forming a new party and thus lacked standing to submit the petition.

Opportunity for Caribbean Journalists: Energy Transition Media Workshop & Mentorship

Journalists across the Caribbean are invited to participate in the Caribbean Energy Transition Workshop, with the chance to apply for the Caribbean Energy Transition Media Mentorship program facilitated by Climate Tracker Caribbean. As the region grapples with the severe impacts of climate change—including rising temperatures, sea levels, and increased hurricane intensity—there is an urgent need for building resilience. The energy transition, which involves moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, is essential for a sustainable future, yet progress has been slow.

Caribbean journalists are crucial in tracking developments related to energy transition, informing the public, and holding decision-makers accountable. Despite the pressing need, significant gaps in media coverage and public awareness persist.

The initiative offers a two-part opportunity for journalists from Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The first component is the Caribbean Energy Transition Workshop, which will provide 40 journalists with hands-on training from regional and global experts in energy transition and award-winning Caribbean journalists.

The online workshop aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the Caribbean’s energy needs and resources. It will cover the scientific, political, economic, and social aspects of energy adaptation and resilience. Participants will also develop skills in information gathering, reporting, and communication.

Those who complete the workshop will be eligible to apply for the Caribbean Energy Transition Media Mentorship. Nine selected fellows will engage in six group training sessions with experienced Caribbean team members, focusing on critical energy transition issues. The mentorship includes support to produce and publish three energy transition stories, create one short audiovisual piece for social media, and participate in the Caribbean Climate Calabash podcast and an Instagram Live session.

Each fellow will receive a USD $900 stipend for the production of their stories and video. To qualify, applicants must be Caribbean journalists or journalism students interested in climate change reporting and available to commit to the workshop and mentorship requirements.

Key dates for the program are as follows:
– Registration Deadline: Friday, 6th September 2024 (11:59pm AST)
– Workshop Date: Thursday, 19th September 2024 (11am – 2pm AST)
– Mentorship Application Period: Friday, 20th September – Wednesday, 25th September 2024
– Fellows Selection: By Friday, 27th September 2024
– Mentorship Training Sessions: Thursdays (6pm – 8pm AST) on 3rd October, 24th October, 7th November, 21st November, 5th December, and 19th December 2024

This program is designed to enhance journalistic skills, foster regional collaboration, and drive impactful reporting on the Caribbean’s energy transition challenges.

Possible Love Triangle Behind Deadly Shooting in Belize City

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that the recent fatal shooting in Belize City might be linked to a personal dispute. He explained, “From what we are gathering, it may be over a woman. Apparently, the deceased had an affair with a young lady who was also involved with another gang affiliate. We are looking into this and still seeking persons of interest.”

The shooting occurred on Sunday night near Cemetery Road, close to Constitution Park. Surveillance footage captured the moment when Demitri Usher, a 23-year-old father-to-be and football player, was gunned down as he returned home from a nearby shop. Usher was shot multiple times in his head, chest, and back.

Usher’s stepfather shared that Demitri had just come back from buying a lighter when he was ambushed. He described the chaotic scene, with gunshots heard and Usher calling for help. Despite his mother’s efforts to assist him, Usher was pronounced dead upon arrival at KHMH.

The gunman, who was seen shooting through a fence from a nearby park, fled the scene on a motorcycle with an accomplice. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed that one suspect is in custody and investigations are ongoing.

The shooting is the second attempt on Usher’s life, with his family attributing the violence to past associations on Banak Street. Usher, who was active with the Ebony Lake Football Club, was looking forward to becoming a father and had recently been preparing for a new job.

Update: Decomposed Body Found on Lark Caye; Police Commissioner Indicates Unclear Cause of Death

Last week, a badly decomposed male body was discovered along the shores of Lark Caye, near the Placencia Peninsula. The island’s owner and a group of individuals came across the body. Local authorities were immediately notified, and a team of police and coast guard officers responded, transporting the body to the mainland.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that, at this time, there is no indication that the death is a result of homicide or natural causes. He added, “We still don’t think it’s a case of homicide or natural death; the police are still probing to determine exactly what happened.”

UDP Chairman Rejects Recall Petition

On Tuesday, Tracy Panton and Beverly Williams submitted a petition to the Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP) requesting the recall of Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow. In a release, the Alliance for Democracy said that the petition garnered 208 signatures from 17 constituencies.

According to Article 9(7) of the UDP Constitution, the Party Leader can be removed if one-third of the registered delegates sign the petition and two-thirds of the delegates present vote in favor. The Alliance for Democracy then said that the Party Chairman has no grounds to reject the petition, citing the Constitution’s provisions.

In response, UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte issued a statement addressing the petition. Peyrefitte noted that the petition with 173 signatures falls short of the 176 required for a recall under normal circumstances. He criticised Panton for alleged breaches of the UDP Constitution and declared that Panton’s actions, including forming a new party, rendered her constructively resigned from the UDP, thus lacking the standing to submit the petition.

Peyrefitte emphasised that the National Convention had unanimously voted on August 13, 2023, for Barrow to serve until after the next general elections and that this decision suspended all related constitutional provisions. He stated, “There is absolutely no emergency that has arisen since the August 13, 2023, National Convention decision that the Party Leader serve until after the next general elections.” Peyrefitte also referenced a resolution passed on April 7, 2024, reaffirming the National Convention’s decision and expressing full confidence in Barrow’s leadership.

Peyrefitte mentioned a recent letter from 20 Standard Bearers supporting adherence to the August 2023 decision and reiterated that the UDP Constitution should concern only the UDP itself. He concluded, “I have responded in the interest of the public record.”

Briceño and Arévalo Agree on Trade, Border Cooperation, and Investment Opportunities

Prime Minister John Briceño led a Belizean delegation on an official visit to Guatemala, where they met with President Bernardo Arévalo. The discussions covered various topics, including trade, border issues, and bilateral cooperation. Briceño described the meeting as highly productive, stating, “We had a very good meeting with President Arévalo, and several of our ministers presented along with their counterparts. We addressed many issues, including trade, the border, and how we can work closer between both countries.”

He elaborated on the agreements reached, noting, “What was agreed to is that we’re going to set up subcommittees to address issues such as trade and border incursions. Both the Belizean and Guatemalan forces will work on improving communication and coordination in these areas.”

Briceño also highlighted the involvement of Belizean investors, stating, “There were almost 20 Belizean investors looking for markets in Guatemala or opportunities for Guatemalan investors to come into Belize. We had a meeting with AG Export, Guatemala’s largest organisation dealing with exports, and there was a lot of networking to explore how they can access our market.”

Briceño emphasised the success of the visit, noting the positive steps taken to enhance collaboration between the two nations.