Accused murderer Elmer Nah remains incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison. The former police officer is on remand for the triple murder of brothers Jon and David Ramnarace, and Vivian Ramnarace. Nah maintains his innocence and recently suggested that the heinous killings were carried out by another rogue cop. When we asked the ComPol about an investigation into those allegations, he said that they are in process of putting together an ironclad case against Nah.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Yes, it has been concluded and the result is that there was no basis for his report. The surveillance camera in the vehicle that transported him to and from prison, including the body cam worn by officers.”
Reporter
“He said it was a next police officer who committed the murders.”
Chester Williams
“I am not going to go into too much details where that is concerned because that is a matter before the court and you and I know that an accused person would always raise whatever they need to raise for a defense. We are doing what we can to be able to convince the court beyond a reasonable doubt that Elmer Nah is the perpetrator of that triple murder. So that’s what we are doing right now.”
On Monday, we reported on the two shooting incidents that occurred in Corozal district over the weekend, one of which, was fatal. The first shooting occurred on Saturday night when a man was targeted in his yard and gunned down. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says the recent act of violence was the result of rivalling groups in the area. The fatal shooting occurred around one thirty a.m. at the Mi Compa Bar in Ranchito Village and is believed to have been spurred by a dispute between two parties. We asked Williams for an update, and he informed us that police have identified the suspects and are seeking them for an arrest.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The Corozal murder is rather unfortunate. I must say that, again, it is important that the liquor licensing board listen to the police. We had made several attempts to have that bar closed down. It was closed down temporarily for a little while. And the reason we had made those requests was because we foresaw this happening. But again, they were able to get licensed and continue to operate and now this happened. Nonetheless, the police are on top of it. We know who the suspect is and we’re still pursuing that person at this time. We’re hoping to find that person very soon and then we’ll be able to lay charges against that individual. But again, it was a group of persons who had some misunderstanding and that misunderstanding led to the fatal shooting of the victim.”
Britney Gordon
“And there was a shooting not too far away in Parisa Village. Do you know anything about that?”
Chester Williams
“Yes. That shooting, likewise, we know who the person who the person who did that, and we’re looking for that person as well. We believe that may have something to do with our rivaling issue between two, two particular groups in the area.”
Last weekend, the police made a huge bust of crystal meth, perhaps the largest that they’ve made so far. They have arrested three persons for their find and today Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters that they intercepted the drugs in a vehicle at a mechanic shop in the Cayo District. Williams said that their operations along the border areas have yielded good results, and this was one such occasion when their search turned up a significant find.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“It is a huge bus for us. We have been doing a lot of operations along the border areas in the districts that borders different country, that borders Guatemala and then Orange Walk and Corozal that borders Mexico. And these operations we do regularly yield good results for us. I am extremely proud and happy of the work done by the Anti-Narcotics Unit in that operation. It’s a huge – I think it’s the largest bust we have had of Crystal Meth. And it needs to be celebrated, and indeed maybe, we need to toot our horns some more. I think that we don’t toot our horn as much as we should. They were found at a, I think a garage area, a mechanic shop in a vehicle. The team did their investigation and the investigation done by them was what led to the arrest of those persons who were charged.”
Last weekend there was also a shooting on Newtown Barracks involving a police officer who fired rubber pellets that injured several persons. The officer was responding to an altercation at a popular nightclub on the entertainment strip. To break up the fight that was taking place, the policeman fired a warning shot onto the ground and when the rubber pellets ricocheted, they injured several persons who were in the immediate vicinity. ComPol Chester Williams explained the use of non-lethal rounds.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“As I said to OCED, while I do understand that the police’s action in discharging the weapon or the firearm in that particular area could be seen as one that was necessary but not necessary, let me put it that way. You might say well how could it be necessary but still not necessary, but again, due to what was taking place in terms of the aggression, the fighting between the different groups, and we do know that when we have rival groups going at each other, the potential for either one to take out weapons and use is very high. So the police took out his shotgun that had rubber bullets and discharged a warning shot. My issue with it is that he fired the warning shot in the ground. You don’t fire warning shots in the ground because the potential of ricocheting is extremely high. He could have fired it in the air or whatever, but I can’t kill the policeman because at the end of the day he saw an issue that could have escalated to the stage where persons got severely injured or killed and he, being the person in that position, applies his best judgment and did what he did, a reprimand from me would be good enough for him, but I don’t want to kill him for what he did, no.”
Security measures are tightening up in River Valley. In recent months, the community observed an increase in crime in the area, raising serious concern among residents. After voicing complaints about the ineffectiveness of the police officers stationed there, ten new officers were transferred into the area, replacing the previous staff, and a new officer in charge was appointed. Today, the force continues to strengthen this commitment to safety by welcoming a new police mobile to be used in the area. News Fives’ Britney Gordon attended the handing-over ceremony for more details on the security strategies to be implemented in River Valley. Here’s that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Belize River Valley just got a little safer with the addition of a brand-new police mobile. This vehicle is part of a greater initiative to strengthen security measures in the area. Today, the police force held a handing-over ceremony to commemorate the new vehicle and commend the efforts made to ensure public safety. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs detailed this endeavor to us.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“A few years ago, we had undertaken a very comprehensive countrywide review and tour. Of the rural communities meeting with the leaders all across the country to identify the key areas in which we can assist these rural communities whether it’s by community policing, whether it’s by assigning special constables, additional special constables. And one of the number one concerns was mobility. And so that is part of the reason why we are here today to deliver. This brand new pickup truck for the Belize River Valley. As you mentioned, there was some flare ups about two, two months or so ago. And so we definitely wanted to prioritize and focus our efforts here in the River Valley, not just by providing mobility for the police officers, but providing additional officers.”
The implementation of better safety precautions is a community effort that involves strategizing with several community leaders and government officials. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledges a decrease in violent
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We know that the year started off rough for them. I think we had about ten murders in the first three months, which was extremely high. And I came in, I sat down with them, we developed strategies, we had mediations, we have interventions the community leaders were also brought together to give their ideas so we can get an appreciation in terms of what was taking place and see how best we could address the issue. And again, that yielded good results for us. We have since seen a tremendous decrease in major crime in the area since we had those meetings. And we’re hoping that with the additional resources in the area, both human and vehicular resources, that we’ll be able to get more from the police in this area. I want to assure the Belize River Valley people that the Belize Police Department stands committed in making sure that their safety and security always remain at the forefront.”
Musa explains that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been donating new vehicles to the Crimes Investigation Branch across the country.
Kareem Musa
“We have from our ministry identified funds. Recently we also handed over six brand new vehicles to CIB all across the country because It’s absolutely vital and essential that our investigators, whenever a serious crime is taking place, that they have mobility and so we were able to deliver six new vehicles to C.I.B. as well.”
The police mobile and new officers are part of a concerted effort towards better public safety. Williams explained that through the diligent efforts of the police force and continued cooperation from the public, residents will begin to witness a positive change in the community.
Chester Williams
“We have newly leadership in the area as well. Additional police officers were also pumped into the area. I think we went from somewhere around eleven police officers in this area to currently about twenty-nine. So the numbers increased tremendously. But our Boom station now is twenty-four hours operating in Bermuda Landing. It’s I think two shift system. We have there until twelve midnight. So we’re seeing more and more that we’re doing what we can to enhance security. Again, it does not require only the police. We have to have the partnership with the people and that’s the importance why the importance of making sure that the chairpersons of the respected villages are a part of what we do. We get good cooperation from them, good input from them. I want to make sure we enhance that.”
The Belize Police Department is attempting to mitigate the number of violent crimes through an increase in operations across the country. With the implementation of additional patrols, police are experiencing the depletion of their fuel allowance at an incredible rate. Recently, a police mobile was parked near the police station on Racoon Street, unable to conduct patrols as it had expended its two-hundred-and-fifty gallons per monthly fuel. Today, Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs confirmed that due to the heightened northern operations, the increased use of gas is to be expected.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“Was there an increase in the fuel bill for the department police department, especially because they have a whole lot of patrolling to dwell over communities are getting larger and whatnot. And then we received a report that one mobile was parked behind Raccoon Street police station because the two hundred fifty gallons of fuel that they had received for the month had been exhausted. That is a matter that would have to be answered by the commissioner of police. But in terms of additional resources, certainly with our northern based operation that is taking up a lot of our fuel bill as well. But in terms of the Belize city fuel bill, I believe commissioner would be able to answer that.”
On Thursday, a fire at Price Barracks completely gutted the sleeping quarters of a senior noncommissioned officer. The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical malfunction, as the building has been in poor condition since it was damaged by a hurricane. Colonel Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander of the B.D.F. told us that the building was primarily used for storage, no one was injured in the incident.
Colonel Anthony Velasquez
Colonel Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, B.D.F.
“Last night at about eleven p.m. a fire started at the senior noncommissioned officer’s barracks. The fire originated near the room of the force sergeant major who is the senior enlisted person in the Belize Defense Force. The fire was contained and completely out by eleven forty-five and that occurred with the assistance of the Ladyville Fire Service.”
Britney Gordon
“Was anybody injured in the fire?”
Colonel Anthony Velasquez
“No one was injured at all in the fire. No one was in the building at the time. The building is a senior noncommissioned officer barrack that was damaged by a hurricane last year. And repairs haven’t been done completed at this time. No one was actually in the building at the time, and the damage occurred was confined to mostly about two rooms. So the room of the four sergeant major and an adjacent room everything was destroyed in both rooms. And there’s an electrical hazard in the area as well. And also the fire service this morning is conducting their investigation to determine the cause of the fire.”
Britney Gordon
“So the speculation is that it was an electrical fire or is something else?”
Colonel Anthony Velasquez
“That’s the assumption at this point in time until the investigation is over that some sort of electrical fire.”
Britney Gordon
“So you mentioned that this room was the barracks, but in the video we can hear the sound of ammunition going off. Can you talk about that situation?”
Colonel Anthony Velasquez
“From my point of view, it wasn’t ammunition. It was cans of food. That were that were popping open during the fire itself?”
The Association of Protected Areas Management is calling on the relevant authorities to hold irresponsible individuals accountable for starting fires that eventually grow out of control. We spoke with Jose Perez, the Executive Director at APAMO, who says that while some of these fires began through natural causes, some were started because of reckless human behavior. He also noted that a great deal of financial resources will be needed to conduct recovery work in protected areas.
Jose Perez
Jose Perez, Executive Director, APAMO
“I believe that what we have noted that the negligent use of fires by all sectors of the society has contributed significantly to these fires considering that this year the conditions have been extreme, nevertheless we believe that different sectors, the ordinary citizens who visit the Pine Fidge and leaves behind unattended fires, to the agricultural sector, I think has led to some of these fires and because of the extreme conditions has really overwhelmed not only the respective government entities. This year it has actually impacted directly the protected areas and it has really burned our areas. Thankfully for the network we have had three of our members on the frontline but we had two other who were willing and able to support these rangers in particular fighting these fires. The damage has been significant, it has to be assessed, but in the words of Ms. Maria Garcia who is the chairlady of Itzana Society in San Antonio it hurts when you hear these animals growling and crying being burnt and suffocating. And I think indeed this is an opportunity for those agencies responsible for doing the work we do sometimes it takes these events for you to know the work that is being done in silence, the management of these protected areas which are the bloodline for the tourism sector, but it takes these events to know the value of the work these comanagers are doing. So financing is always lacking. We always have a way for getting the work done, but it requires more equipment, it requires more man power, more rangers on the ground. They are the eyes our there. So substantive financing will be required to do recovery.”
She was married to Belize’s National Hero, Philip Goldson and studied law so she could defend him when the government prosecuted him for standing up. On Wednesday, that woman, Hadie Goldson was laid to rest here in Belize City. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with her eldest child, Philip Goldson Junior, to find out about this woman who, in her own right, was also a hero. Not only did she represent her husband, but she also defended other women who could not afford legal fees. Here’s that report on the life of Hadie Goldson.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Not much has been said publicly about Hadie Goldson, the wife of national hero, Philip Goldson, but she is as much a hero as he was. She was committed to serve those who needed legal representation, including her husband. Hadie Goldson became an attorney because Philip needed someone who could represent him well in court when he came under pressure and prosecution.
Philip Goldson Jr.
Philip Goldson, Jr., Son of Philip and Hadie Golson
“After my parents got married. my mom became aware of my dad’s legal predicament, much more aware of the fact that he was not properly represented in court. And my dad spoke to her about his difficulties getting an attorney. And that triggered my mom’s desire to go to England to study for her law degree. You could say that my dad at the time was part of a group of revolutionaries, challenging the current system that existed then. And for any, groups that are challenging the existing systems, the system will tend to use the laws that are on the books.to beat back those challenges. In Belize, the number of attorneys who were practicing was a very small group, only I would say seven or eight attorneys, and most of that group depended on the system, meaning the government for their income. And so they were reluctant to represent anyone who was challenging the system.”
Philip Goldson Junior says that when his mom went to study law at Lincoln’s Inn in London, she left her four small children with relatives and that upon her return, he could recall the celebration when she became the first woman attorney in Belize. But better than that, she came back to champion her husband’s cause and the women who needed her service.
Philip Goldson, Jr.
“Her being the first woman was not just as the first woman to be called to the Bar, but also someone who also took up cases that were considered too small for the lawyers who were currently practicing at the time. That changed the legal landscape for customers as well as for the legal profession. The court system at the time existed only for men and they had to make adjustments, many adjustments, some big, some small.”
Goldson explained that when his dad wanted to marry his mom, he had converted from Anglican to Catholicism.
Philip Goldson, Jr.
“My dad expressed interest to her mom in meeting her, and my mom said, her mom insisted that before my dad could be, could meet my, mom, he would need to be of the correct religion. My dad grew up Anglican. My mom’s family was Catholic. And so according to my mom, my dad had to become a Catholic person before my, her mom would agree to a meeting.”
Goldson explained that his mom fought for not only her husband, but for women who needed legal services.
Philip Goldson, Jr.
“She was interested in helping women, especially who are not represented by attorneys, at the time that she started practice. It was very difficult for women to get, find attorneys who would represent them, for many cultural reasons mostly because I believe women, the attorneys would feel that women would not be able to compensate them properly, but maybe other reasons.”
Hadie Goldson is survived by four children. Marion Ali for News Five.
Friday May thirty-first is recognized globally as World No Tobacco Day. The day is observed annually to inform the public on the dangers of tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies and what the relevant authorities are doing to combat tobacco use. This year the Ministry of Health and Wellness organized a national tobacco control forum under the theme “protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. News Five’s Paul Lopez was at the forum. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Tabacco use is becoming increasingly popular among a much younger population in Belize.
Dr. Karen Bell
Dr. Karen Bell, PAHO Belize Representative
“Youth thirteen to fifteen years of age, in Belize the prevalence of smoking is about thirteen percent but in the region of the Americas it is only about nine percent.”
That is at least a couple thousand children between the ages of thirteen and fifteen using tobacco.
Dr. Karen Bell
“It is alarming and when we look at the use of cigarettes, smoking cigarettes is about seven point eight percent of the youths thirteen to cigarettes.”
We met Doctor Karen Bell, the PAHO Representative in Belize, at a World No Tobago Day Forum organized by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The forum is particularly geared towards empowering youths to encourage the government to protect their health. One way is through the implementation of higher taxation on tobacco products.
Dr. Karen Bell
“Higher custom duties on the Tobago products. Higher taxes on the sale of Tobago products and this has been proven to decrease the demand for these Tobago products.”
There have been countless no tobacco smoking campaigns over the years targeted at the youth population. These campaigns often seek to bring awareness to the long list of health risks associated with tobacco use. But they are going up against a billion-dollar global industry. According to Doctor Mellisa Diaz Musa, a Tobacco Control Bill has been drafted for Belize.
Dr. Mellisa Diaz Musa
Dr. Mellisa Diaz Musa, Director, Public Health and Wellness
“The bill is a really strong bill. It helps garner and change behavior. It helps to identify the issues, especially the health issues with Tobago control and once approved it will be circulated countrywide. Smoking contributes significantly to ill health. It contributes to chronic respiratory illnesses, emphysema, chronic obstructive disease, strokes, heart disease and of course lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.”
The National Drug Abuse and Control Council is now placing greater emphasis on new and emerging tobacco products. Esner Vellos is the Director of the council.
Esner Vellos
Esner Vellos, Director, N.D.A.C.C.
“Those new and emerging products are e-cigarettes, hookas, heated tobacco products that are produced in a way that would be more synthetically produced but at the same time they do have nicotine in their products and that is what makes them as equally as harmful as traditional tobacco products. What we at the N.D.A.C.C. tell the younger population is that while the industry may advertise this as cool and they may be cool at the beginning but in the longer run the health impact that product may have in your health system will be much higher.”
And the first negative effects of smoking tobacco may be realized the first time the individual smokes tobacco. According to Vellos, that immediate heart burning sensation is an alarm signal set off by the body. He notes that it is all downhill from there with continuous tobacco use.
Esner Vellos
“And as the time progresses, that smoke will also be filling up your lungs. Over the course of the years that filled up longs will develop tar and that tar is what leads to medical health effects that tobacco has on the individual. So, in a given timeline in less fifteen years you will underground with tobacco consumption.”
N.D.A.C.C. data shows that while there has been a decrease in the use of traditional tobacco products, there has been an increase in the use of new and emerging products that are just as harmful. Even more concerning to the Ministry of Health and Wellness is data that shows an increase in tobacco use among women.
Dr. Mellisa Diaz Musa
“Is there a level of hopelessness that comes with these efforts, because not only do you have tobacco smokers but there is also these new and emerging tobacco sources becoming more popular. I think we look at that as motivation for our team to work harder. Definitely there is hope for us to make a change. Social behavior is very much possible and we know if we start in the school, start earlier we can make a difference when it comes to our non-communicable diseases.”
