Today, the National Commission for Families and Children held a media sensitivity workshop to teach journalists from across the country how to best report on children, youths, and sensitive topics. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the media, law enforcement, and child advocacy organizations to discuss ethical standards in reporting. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams attended and emphasized the responsibility of journalists to protect children and the need for stronger laws to safeguard children in unsafe situations.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“When it comes to children who come into conflict with the law, the media must be responsible enough so as not to publish the identity of these children because then either way you take it whether they’re victims or offenders, it is going to bring some degree of of embarrassment to them. And I don’t think that we should expose children to things like that. Today was good and I want to thank NCFC for the invitation for even setting up this event. I think that this discourse today was very important and productive. And I wish that there was going to be more of this.”
Reporter
“What was the reception in relation to the proposition for a law change regarding that incident that you pointed to which you also prosecuted? Someone being a child who’s been a victim of cruelty has to be in someone’s custody in the abuser’s custody?”
Chester Williams
“Like I said, if it is that we don’t take care of our children today, then our future is going to be dim. We cannot live in a society where our children are being abused and the laws that are put in place to protect them is inadequate. To see that, in order to prosecute a person for cruelty to a child must be in the care or charge of the abuser. I don’t think it is right. If you abuse a child, if you are cruel to a child, it should not be dependent on whether or not the child is in your care or charge. It should be across the board. And so I would like to see that aspect of the law change, as well as to make the penalty for persons who abuse children to be more severe than what it is now it is now.”
Caribbean leaders are wrapping up their three-day summit, aware that the region will face challenges from the new Donald Trump administration in the United States. Despite this, they agree on the need to seize any opportunities that come their way. Trump’s policies include deporting illegal Caribbean migrants, cutting funds for development programs, and reversing initiatives that fostered closer ties with Cuba and Venezuela. Here’s Peter Richards in Bridgetown, Barbados with more details.
Having a place to call home is something many of us take for granted. It’s more than just four walls and a roof—it’s about security, comfort, and a foundation for a better life. For those without a home, every day can be a battle for survival, filled with uncertainty and isolation. Tonight, we delve into the harsh reality of homelessness and the efforts to provide not just shelter, but also dignity and hope. At the heart of this mission is the Welcome Resource Center, a sanctuary for those in need, offering more than just a place to stay—it’s a community that reminds them they are not forgotten. Here’s Sabreena Daly with this week’s Look on The Bright Side.
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
For Dorris Forman, working at the Welcome Resource Center is more than just a job, it’s a personal mission. She understands what it’s like to have nowhere to turn, to worry about where the next meal will come from, and to feel invisible in your own community.
Dorris Forman
Dorris Forman, Attendant, Welcome Resource Center “I was there, homeless for a while. At a certain park, I used to sleep at a park. It used to be, um, I don’t even go to the park anymore. Lotus Matias Park. And, um, I always tell people I can relate to it because I was there before I got where I’m at today.”
Dorris now works at the Welcome Resource Center, a day facility in Belize City that supports the homeless and mentally ill. It’s a place where people can get a hot meal, take a shower, find clean clothes, and most importantly, regain their dignity. The center’s mission is simple yet profound: to offer a haven for those with nowhere else to go. Like many who walk through its doors, Wellington Matura relies on the center to meet his most basic needs. Without a home of his own, he struggles to find consistency in his daily life. The resource center has helped him maintain some stability, offering the essentials that many take for granted.
Sabreena Daly
“You are currently displaced without a home?”
Wellington Matura
Wellington Matura, Resident, Welcome Resource Center
“Yeah, right now, yes. I am homeless. That’s why I mostly come here on the weekdays. I shower and eat a good meal. That’s why I’ve gained a few pounds since coming here for the last year and a half.”
Since opening in 2013, the Welcome Resource Center has faced challenges in staying visible, even as it serves some of Belize’s most vulnerable people. Many of its clients struggle with mental illness, displacement, or financial hardship. Administrator Tina Gill explains that the center is a refuge, helping people find stability in an otherwise uncertain life.
Tina Gill
Tina Gill, Administrator, Welcome resource center “We seek to provide here essentially a home, a safe space for our members to come and relax for the day. So we provide meals for them, breakfast, lunch. We also provide showers so that they are able to get clean clothes and just relax in the atmosphere as if they were in a home.”
Providing this level of service is a significant challenge. With more people being referred by social services, health clinics, and community outreach programs, keeping the center’s doors open requires a lot of resources. The cost of daily operations is high, requiring a steady flow of funding to sustain the center’s mission.
Tina Gill “What it takes financially to keep the center’s door open is very large. Um, we provide, as I said, meals every day. So that’s breakfast and lunch. We also are providing, uh, electricity, cable, water, you know, so it does take a toll. We do want to be able to network with large corporations so that they’re able to come into the center, come one day and we give you a walkthrough. We’ll show you what we have, what we need so that they can see that, yes, there is a need here to provide the resources and continue to provide the resources for our members.”
Despite the help the center offers, nights and weekends are still uncertain for many. The center operates only during the day, providing meals, showers, and a safe space. But once it closes, members are left to fend for themselves, often without food, shelter, or support.
Dorris Forman
“ That’s what happens, a lot of them get frustrated and they get mentally sick. Because they don’t have the support from the family. The family plays a big role with them. Even if the family would only find at least a Sunday to give them a plate of food it would help. Here, they get fresh food every day. They have a fresh breakfast and a fresh plate of food every day. But on Saturdays and Sundays we don’t know what happens.”
For Wellington, the Welcome Resource Center isn’t just a place to get a meal—it’s a place that offers hope, a place where he is seen and cared for.
Wellington Matura
“It helped me. When early morning comes I know I have a place I can come and scrub my teeth, eat a good breakfast, shower, get a little rest if you want.”
Amid homelessness and isolation, the Welcome Resource Center stands as more than a place of refuge, it is a community that restores dignity, belonging, and hope. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly
If you would like to support the Welcome Resource Center you can contact them at 202- 2511.
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters today that gang violence in Belize City has increased in the wake of Brandon Baptist’s death on January 31. Baptist, a known gang affiliate, was fatally shot during a football match at the Marion Jones Stadium.
Since then, several incidents of gun violence have been reported. On February 18th, Akeem Smith narrowly escaped injury when gunmen targeted him while returning from a fishing trip. Smith reportedly jumped into nearby water to evade the attackers. The following day, Leon Gray and Emmeth Baptist were shot at near Newtown Barracks. Gray was injured but has since been treated and released from the hospital.
Williams said the police department has “deployed additional police officers on the grounds, and we’re conducting daily operations.” He added that police are focusing on specific areas to prevent further gang-related incidents.
Williams added that the investigation into Baptist’s death points to self-defence. He said, “I wish it was not a matter of self-defence, indeed, but the DPP, in her wisdom, and I cannot; I don’t argue with what the DPP is saying. Because, as a lawyer, I see myself too that there is a very strong element of self-defence.”
Williams explained that the person who fired the gun is not actually a member of a gang. While he was at the scene, he wasn’t involved in gang activities. “The person who actually is a gunman is not a gang member… he happened to have been there, yes, but he’s not a gang member,” he added.
A fire official is urging households to inspect their electrical wiring, particularly in homes with older systems. Station Supervisor Gladstone Bucknor of the National Fire Service highlighted the Queen Street Baptist Church, which has stood since 1822 and was last updated in 1931 after Hurricane Hattie.
Bucknor noted that the church’s outdated wiring, coupled with a power surge when electricity was restored, may have contributed to the recent fire. He advised all homeowners to have their electrical systems inspected and rewired by a professional to avoid potential hazards.
“That building is from 1822 and was last updated in 1931 after Hurricane Hattie. recently had their roof did and electrical system. As we know, electrical system is heat and we will people just leave their buildings like that and around appliances after appliances rather than actually getting electric to come in and rewire their system. So I advise all household personnel try to get their electrician to come in and sorted out,” he said.
Thirty-four-year-old Alvaro Tun has been acquitted of the murder of Elder Arana, who was fatally stabbed during a bar fight in San Pedro. The incident occurred on March 5, 2023, at Jeemar’s Night Club in the San Pedrito area, where a brawl erupted after the bar owner closed early, and security attempted to clear out patrons.
Arana was stabbed six times in the altercation, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a woman. Police recovered a box cutter belonging to the club’s security guard, but no charges were brought against him. Instead, Tun was arrested based on the testimony of Diego Santos, the prosecution’s key witness.
However, Judge Derick Sylvester ruled Santos’ testimony unreliable, citing inconsistencies and contradictions with other evidence. With the witness’ account deemed not credible, the judge dismissed the case, resulting in Tun’s acquittal.
Fire investigators believe an electrical issue may have sparked the early morning blaze that gutted the historic Queen Street Baptist Church in Belize City. According to Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Supervisor for the National Fire Service, a power outage between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. may have contributed to the fire, which ignited shortly after electricity was restored. Bucknor stated that investigators are examining burn patterns to confirm the exact point of origin but noted that electrical fires often result from power surges following an outage.
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams ruled out arson, stating that there is no evidence of criminal involvement. Preliminary findings suggest the fire started in an area where a malfunctioning light fixture was located, but final confirmation will come from the fire department’s ongoing investigation. Bucknor also urged residents to call the fire department directly at 9-9-0 in emergencies, as 9-1-1 calls must first be routed through the police, potentially delaying response times.
The fire was first reported around 4:30 a.m. when Queen Street resident Victor Cowo woke up to the smell of thick smoke. Stepping outside, he saw flames coming from one of the church’s windows and immediately called 911. As the fire intensified, he rushed back inside to secure his family’s documents and belongings. Cowo said it took what felt like 15 to 30 minutes for fire trucks to arrive, during which time he and his father tried to contain the blaze with buckets of water and a garden hose.
Four fire trucks—three from Belize City and one from Ladyville—were deployed to the scene. One truck experienced mechanical issues but was quickly repaired. Firefighters managed to control the blaze within an hour, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings, though the school sustained damage to doors and burglar bars.
The destruction of Queen Street Baptist Church is a significant loss for Belize City, as the church had stood for over two centuries, serving both as a place of worship and a community support centre. Investigators will continue their assessment in the coming days to finalise the cause of the fire.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have been meeting in caucus since Friday morning to discuss a range of pressing regional and global issues. Among the topics on the agenda were the United States’ shifting policy toward the Caribbean, climate change, and the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). As the meeting progressed, some leaders began to depart, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, who provided insights into the closed-door discussions.
While climate change remains a critical issue for the region, the discussions did not focus extensively on it. However, Browne stressed CARICOM’s continued push for the full capitalisation and operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, as well as efforts to encourage major emitters to reduce emissions. He also noted potential partnerships with the European Union on hydrogen technology as part of the region’s broader transition to green energy. Beyond climate change, the discussions also covered geopolitical issues, particularly the evolving relationship between the United States and the Caribbean.
CARICOM leaders hope to engage senior members of the U.S. administration soon, with aspirations of inviting former President Donald Trump to the region. Browne highlighted the importance of such engagement, especially given the region’s economic dependence on U.S. trade and the potential for tariffs to drive up imported inflation. Another major concern was the U.S. decision to roll back immigration protections for over half a million Haitians, which could exacerbate the already dire security situation in Haiti. CARICOM leaders expressed their intent to raise the issue in future discussions with U.S. officials, hoping to mitigate the negative impact on Haiti.
Additionally, there was talk of CARICOM working with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to urge major global emitters to accelerate decarbonization efforts ahead of COP30. The summit also reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to supporting Haiti in achieving stability and security, with a focus on a Haitian-led solution for governance and elections. As the three-day deliberations near their conclusion, CARICOM leaders are expected to provide a formal update to the media later on Friday.
A police officer is set to be charged with dangerous harm after firing two shots at 24-year-old Emil Rivers on January 24. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that Officer Sheldon Arzu was suspended while the investigation proceeded.
Williams said, “We have gotten the directive from the DPP… Today he’ll be charged with dangerous harm and should be appearing before the court this afternoon.”
Rivers, who was armed with a knife during the confrontation, was hospitalised following the shooting Independence Village. Williams also confirmed that Rivers will face charges in connection with a separate ongoing case.
Gabourel, a student at SJC, was fatally shot in September 2021 while on North Front Street. While surveillance footage captured the shooter, the shooter had his face covered. A police officer later identified Gillett by his tattoo and body type.
The High Court judge upheld a no-case submission, which led to Gillett’s release. Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has confirmed that the ruling will be appealed.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today, “I’m not the judge, so I can’t speak on the judge’s decision, but I’m glad to hear that the DPP plans to appeal.” Williams was asked about the FBI’s involvement in enhancing video evidence, a plan discussed in 2021. He responded, saying that since the DPP is moving forward with an appeal, it shows confidence that the case can still lead to a conviction. He added, “We’ll wait for the appeal and see what happens.”
