February, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

New Fire Station to be Built in Belize City by End of 2025

The fire station that was supposed to be built after the Cleghorn Street compound was sold before the 2020 election is now expected to be completed by the end of this year. That’s according to the Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez. Perez told News Five that the funds were initially put into a consolidated fund but were used elsewhere. However, he assured that the government is committed to building the station and mentioned that the Fire Department has received new equipment, especially for its ambulance services.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management

“We have acquired new equipment, especially medical, medical services. The response, rapid response that we have done in the Cayo district and Belmopan as well. That speaks volumes of what direction the fire department is going. In terms of the uniforms, the fire suits, those are very expensive. Uh, we do whatever we can to get as much as possible. This type of uniform that they need because it’s very expensive. So, again, it’s something that it’s always a challenge. But, certainly not in a way that we’re just ignoring it. We’re just doing the very best as possible. I want to share with you as well is the need. And we have, I personally have seen, and I share with the private sector. Is that there is not a need now to really start building that building for the firefighting here in Belize City and the district is much needed. I visited the Marlon Jones complex, and I acknowledge that the firefighters are there left and especially equipment that is left the elements of the weather. These are expensive equipment, so we must maintain them, take care of them. So the urgent need on Chetumal Street where that land is located is to start building that, um, that building. And that’s important. I’ve shared that with the fire department. And I’m going to be talking about the fire department, and the firefighters as well. And I shared it with our Prime Minister over the weekend, discussing the same matter on the fire department. So indeed, a lot has been done. More needs to be done. always. We never deny that.”

Marion Ali

“That building will be built this year?”

Andre Perez

“Well, we’re – remember, and I don’t want to get into that political aspect – remember that the building on playground sheet was sold off. And those funds, of course, went to the consolidated fund. But those funds are allocated to build the building. A portion of that fund was to build a new building. We got into government and that money has disappeared, has been used up. But it’s there, allocated. We just have to go out there and push for it. And that’s what my job as the Minister of Disaster Risk Management. I’ve been actively engaging with our CU and the entire ministry at this time. And if we’re hearing right now to sit down with the firefighters, we need to understand that they have a safe place and a comfort where they work.”

No Arrests Yet for Baptist Shooting Death

There have been no arrests yet for the shooting death of thirty-nine-year-old Brandon Baptist, who was killed at the Marion Jones complex. The incident happened last Friday evening during a football match after a dispute between two groups. According to police, Baptist was shot after he got up and went to a section of the bleachers where others were seated. He reportedly pulled out a gun, and someone shot him. A struggle ensued, and he was thrown over the bleachers to the ground below, where he died. Today, Baptist’s friend, Karl Augustine, told News Five that he will continue the project they had started together in the Lake Independence area. They had launched an electrical program for ten youths to keep them engaged during the summer break. Augustine mentioned that while he and Baptist lived very different lives, they shared a common goal with the project.

Karl Augustine, Friend of Deceased

“My plan and motive is to still continue the program. I don’t want to make this discourage me. You know, I also use this as a motivation to continue because, you know, this is really important to me and Mr. Baptist, you know, because we are both two persons from different lifestyles. We grew up together, but we choose different lifestyles, you know. You choose the lifestyle you live. I choose my lifestyle and the life I live. I choose to be a public officer. My goal was to always get the civil authority, maintain law and order and defend my country from internal and external threats. And one of the things as public officers, you know, we work for the public, to help people, when people do wrong, I think we explain to them. You flag them. When I say flag them, I mean stop them and you explain to them when something wrong, and you educate people.”

How Radio Transitioned Over the Decades

Radio continues to be a key medium for news, public announcements, information, and entertainment in Belize. Even though the internet and online broadcasting have gained popularity, radio still has a loyal audience. In this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we spotlight three radio personalities. Two have transitioned to other media, while one has been a staple on the airwaves for an impressive thirty-one years. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us their stories.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The iconic intro that signaled the start of the 12:30 radio newscast every afternoon is something many people from the 1980s and 90s remember fondly. The Broadcasting Corporation of Belize, which ran Radio Belize and Friends FM, was a government-operated station that closed its doors in 1998. By then, two private stations, KREM and Love FM, had already made their mark, with KREM being the first privately-owned station. Although Albert Anthony Wright, better known as Tony Wright, has since moved on from KREM FM, he’s still a beloved figure in the entertainment scene, spinning your favorite Belizean tunes that celebrate our rich cultural heritage. Tony shared that it was this very music that first drew him to radio decades ago. His big break as an announcer came after the release of his second album.

Tony Wright, Former Radio Announcer, Krem FM

“ My first time really there on radio. And that was back in 1995. Actually we start there, the show the 3rd of February.”

Marion Ali

The show’s name is –

Tony Wright

“Belizean Musicians Past and Present and we started that the 3rd of February and then the 10th of February, this was where we first get the first and guests really. And the show take off from there. Then I created Belizean beat. And then, um, the following year, they wanted something for the Christmas, a Christmas program. And so they call me up and they say, Well, what are you doing? You have a show, you got two hours, you know, and the radio, and so do a show, and so we do. I begin Saturday morning special.”

Wright now hosts his own show, the Saturday Morning Special, on his Facebook page every Saturday from 9:30 AM to noon. George Tillett, now a well-known videographer with News Five, started his career back in 1980 as a technician for the now-defunct Radio Belize. He was responsible for servicing and managing the transmitting sites. When Friends FM launched, George joined their maintenance team. He recalls that the training and equipment back then were worlds apart from what we have today—like night and day.

George Tillett, Former Technician, Broadcasting Corporation of Belize

“I was a part of the maintenance team, servicing, oh, you can name it, the tape recorders, it was cassette recorders. You have, um, reel to reel. You have, um, amplifiers and turntables, you know, that play the thirty-three and a half and forty five records. What I was trained to do back then, is, I would be lost right now, if I, if I ever try to repair anything that is modern.”

We caught up with Lisa Kerr, better known as Lisa Love, broadcasting live from her home today. After nearly thirty-one years, she’s still a beloved host at Krem Radio. Lisa’s journey into radio began while she was working as an overnight dispatcher at another company.

Lisa Love, Radio Announcer, Krem FM

“ We were not allowed to have radios for destruction. We were supposed to be focused and I took in a little radio to keep me company when my guys are not calling in to give their report. So I had my little radio there and sometimes at 5 a. m. somebody would be on Krem Radio and sometimes nobody would be on Krem Radio. So there was a morning JC was on, so I called the station and I said, you know, how come somebody’s there sometimes and then Um, there are other times nobody is there and the music you guys play are very good. I like the music. It’s music that I grew up on. And he said, well the person, the late Sweets the Lord Bennet, was the one who had the ship at the time. And Sweets was not too well all the time. So, JC was like, why, you want it? I’m like, okay.”

As George and Tony Wright mentioned, the transition over time has been remarkable, thanks to advancements in technology.

George Tillett

“All mistakes you have to cut and paste. And this was time consuming to get it ready for a broadcast. You know, and the next thing, it was the same thing with cassettes. You have to find that spot that was that was a bad, sometimes the, the tape would chew up, you know, and you have to, you have to splice the tape, join them, and it would take a while, you know to get it ready for that broadcast.”

Tony Wright

“1981 was when I did my really first recording, and that was a read of the years. I did a, I did a, um, song about independence. We were just getting our independence, and I did that at Redo Belize. But at the time, they were recording this thing. I’m so big, real, whatever it is. So, we did the recording.”

Lisa Love shared that now, as the one in charge of the music and program planning, she continues to play the same beloved cultural tunes. She also makes sure to highlight the unique aspects of the different parts of the country she broadcasts from.

Lisa Love

“ If we go to Dangriga, we highlight Dangriga. We go to Fiji, we highlight the culture. We do our research, do what we need to do, and we broadcast that. If we, I mean, we could be in Hattieville doing something. You would know about Hattieville. We go to Crooked Tree each year, Cashew Fest. You know about Crooked Tree, Cashew Fest.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Used-Car Dealers Protest at Northern Border

Earlier today, used-car dealers temporarily blocked the northern border crossing, claiming that a proposed regulation will drive them out of business. The regulation, which isn’t new, would value used cars from the U.S. at the ‘transaction value’ which is the actual price paid for the vehicles when they are sold for export to the importing country. This price includes any adjustments for certain elements, such as discounts or additional charges, and is usually shown on the invoice. This, as opposed to the new residual or book value, which dealers contend would make the cars much more expensive. The traders believe that this rule is meant to protect new car dealers. We’ll have more from the Customs Department in our subsequent newscast.

Unpacking the P.U.P.’s Manifesto on Crime Reduction

Just one month into the new year, Belizeans are gearing up for the 2025 elections. Although the official date hasn’t been announced, members of the People’s United Party (P.U.P.), including Prime Minister John Briceño, have hinted at an early date. As the P.U.P.’s current administration winds down, it’s a good time to reflect on the promises made in their Plan Belize Manifesto. Section three of the document focuses on improving citizen security through smart policing strategies and increasing the number of officers on the ground. News Five’s Britney Gordon takes a closer look at the Ministry of Home Affairs’ progress on these goals.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Back in October 2020, the People’s United Party unveiled Plan Belize under the theme, “Everybody Fi Win.” This manifesto laid out ambitious goals to boost the economy, enhance healthcare, and expand access to education by 2025. In the Safe Society section, they pledged to increase the Belize Police Department to four thousand officers—a target that hasn’t been met yet. However, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa insists this doesn’t mean the party’s plan has failed.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs (File: January 29, 2025)

“I don’t know, what you think, how much space you think we have at the Police Training Academy, but we can only facilitate two hundred and say twenty-five recruits.”

Reporter

“But you made the pledge.”

Kareem Musa

“Yes. It’s over time. Have you heard that plan? Belize is a ten year plan. We’ve had the most recruitment than any other administration and I think our numbers are all the way up to two thousand six hundred going up with the next recruit intake that’s coming out in May. Every year we’ve had at least one, if not two squads coming out from our PTA..”

Musa explained that the Belize Police Department is more than halfway to reaching the goal of four thousand officers, which he expects to achieve around 2030. However, the manifesto on the Government’s Plan website clearly states the party’s aim to meet these targets by 2025. At the 2020 launch of the party manifesto, Leader of the Opposition John Briceno outlined the ambitious goals of the True Blu Plan.

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition (File: Oct 22, 2020)

“We offer sensible solutions because we understand both the people and the problems. Indigenous and ingenious, this manifesto places the highest premium on radical social transformation. Belizeans must as a fundamental right have the chance at a wholesome education, a job at a livable wage, basic healthcare from cradle to grave and a life unthreatened by violence and crime.”

Musa pointed out that one of the biggest challenges in recruiting new officers is the limited space at the Police Training Academy. Despite this, in April 2024, the Belize police force welcomed two hundred and thirty-one new officers—the largest recruit squad in the country’s history. The manifesto also promised to dismantle the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), demilitarize the police, and introduce more effective measures to tackle gang activity. This promise was fulfilled in 2021 with the creation of the Gang Intelligence, Investigation, and Interdiction Unit, GI3. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained the differences between these units.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: Jan 4, 2021)

“That unit will be tasked primarily with ensuring that the gangs across the city and even those across the country are investigated from an intelligence standpoint. But in the new unit, we have an intelligence cell, we have an investigative arm and an operational arm. And so, the intelligence cell goes out and gathers the intelligence on these gangs, the investigative cell investigates the gang with a view to ensure that we charge gang members for the gang-related offences under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act. And the interdiction or the operation arm is out there in the face of the gangs on a daily basis ensuring that they do not get the opportunity to commit the crime that they may wish to commit.”

The government also pledged to improve the police department’s image by providing better training, merit-based recruitment and promotions, police reform and revising the pay scale. In January, an officer shot an escaped detainee while trying to bring him back into custody. Police Commissioner Chester Williams admitted there were mistakes in handling the situation and emphasized the need for more comprehensive training.

Chester Williams (File: January 3, 2025)

“ I had discussed this matter on Friday when I met with the media in terms of the inadequacy of training as well as equipment used by the police in these instances. I wish that, yes, we have the relevant tools and we had a lengthy discussion about this matter in our conference this morning. And the commanders were asked to speak openly about it and to give their opinion so that we know what we need to do going forward in addressing issues like this.”

While not all the Safe Society goals have been met, the Belize Police Department has ramped up efforts to reduce the country’s murder rate in recent years. In 2023, Belize recorded its lowest murder rate since 2005. Although the number rose slightly in 2024, it still stayed below one hundred deaths. The manifesto linked Belize’s high crime rate to its high poverty rate, promising to address both issues together. Britney Gordon for News Five.

B.D.F General Loria Says Tenure Ending Soon

Brigadier General Azariel Loria stepped into the role of commander of the Belize Defense Force, taking over from Brigadier General Steven Ortega. Now, nearly three years later, Commander Loria’s tenure is drawing to a close. At the B.D.F.’s forty-seventh anniversary, Loria looked back on his time as commander and shared his plans for the force in the months leading up to the change of command.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F.

“ There will be a change of command. The commander of the Belize Defense Force is bound to a contract of four years. I started my contract about three years and a couple of months now going. It should finish on the twenty-first of December of this year. After which it could be extended. If I decide to ask for an extension or the ministry decides to keep me back the Ministry of Defense. But that is something that will be negotiated thereafter. I am talking about my tenure here. Four years. There will be a change of command. Of course, I don’t think I will be asking to extend us the commander of the buildings defense force. That will be going for sure. But then we will be productive until the last day, until the last day. I am a public servant, first and foremost, and I have to give my utmost best for the benefit of Belize, to ensure that we have a good organization in order that we can provide a service which is to security the borders to and the territorial sovereignty of Belize.”

B.D.F. Promised Upgrades to Facilities

For years, soldiers in the Belize Defense Force have been complaining about the terrible conditions of their facilities across the country. Last year, new sleeping quarters were unveiled at Price Barracks camp in Ladyville. Brigadier General Azariel Loria, the B.D.F. Commandant, says more improvements like this are on the way to the force’s facilities.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F.

“As I mentioned in the past, we were somewhat left behind when it comes to the infrastructure and other things. For the past maybe fifteen, twenty years, we have not progressed. But for the past thre, four years, there have been a lot of funds injected into the Belize Defense Force. For And it is obvious we’re now having barrack rooms state of the art barrack rooms, modern barrack rooms. Our kitchen that we started to use just yesterday. We have projects done in the south as the forward operating base like how Minister Mira and Minister Marin alluded in their reports. Eyles Camp, , that is the base in the north, we were trying to see how we can refurbish. At Belisario, we’ll have refurbished the and we will continue to refurbish the barrack rooms this year through the CABEI initiative, the CABEI funds and in Fairweather camp as well. Fairweather camp has been the, in my estimation, the most neglected camp. And hence I think that camp or that base needs a good infusion of funds. So that is where we are going to tackle this year. That is where we’re going to concentrate our efforts.”

B.D.F. Soldier Charged with Theft

Recently, a Belize Defense Force soldier was charged with theft for allegedly being involved in a store burglary in Punta Gorda. Brigadier General Azariel Loria, the B.D.F. Commander, said the police are handling the case, but the force might also conduct its own internal investigation.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F.

“We got information that a soldier was involved. One of the newly promoted soldiers, yes. And that he was remanded to prison. I don’t know if he has been offered bail. Thus yet I will have to check with my with the G. G1 is simply the personnel officer that deals with that matter. But, indeed, there was that incident where the soldier was allegedly involved in theft in one of the source down south.”

Reporter

“So when stuff like that happens, it goes directly to the police and not through the police defense force. That’s what I’m understanding?”

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“The police department directly deals with criminal matters involving civilians out there. We do follow it up and if the person or if the soldier is found guilty, in so doing, he has brought the force into disrepute, and he could be dealt with a charge. He could be tried internally by the Belize Defense Force for such a matter.”

B.D.F. Wants New Training Academy for Non-Commissioned Officers

Last week, the Belize Defense Force held a meeting to address disciplinary issues that need fixing. During the meeting, they announced plans to set up a training academy for non-commissioned officers. Brigadier General Azariel Loria, the B.D.F. Commander, shared more details about this initiative.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F.

“Here in the Belize Defense Force, for a private soldier to start to climb the ranks, they have to do courses, promotional courses in part in particular. And we do not have NCO school, per se, in the Belize Defense Force. So some time ago, about two or three years ago, we lobbied the United States Southern Command for them to try to assist us. And we had it in phase phase one was to trainers, which has been accomplished. So we have, professional personnel, competent people that can impart lessons to be a Lance Corporal, Sergeant, all the way up to Sergeant Major. That is out of the way, but now what we need is a school proper to further develop the skills of them and to ensure that we have progression when it comes to that. We were lobbying the South Com to start with an auditorium somewhere that lectures can be delivered. But unfortunately, that did not come true. So now the next step is to try to seek our allies and continue to look around to see who can grant us that. But a paper will be sent to the Ministry of National Defence for government support too as well, because that is something that we need and we need to improve in, in the leadership of our NCOs at this point in time. We believe that the NCOs are, this are the backbone of the police defense force and if it has some loopholes, weak spots we have identified the gaps and that is where we want to continue to work on.”

Firefighters Demand Allowance Adjustments and Policy Reforms Amid Ongoing Concerns

The Public Service Union (PSU) of Belize has formally requested a series of financial and policy reforms for the Belize National Fire Service (BNFS), citing concerns over inadequate compensation, resource mismanagement, and lack of consultation on critical policy changes.

In a letter addressed to Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Carrillo of the Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, PSU President Dean Flowers outlined the urgent need for allowance adjustments, financial audits, and performance appraisals to address systemic issues affecting firefighters nationwide.

The PSU’s request includes the implementation of several specialized allowances to compensate for the hazardous nature of firefighting. These include:

-Hazard Allowance for exposure to dangerous environments such as burning structures and toxic fumes.

-Danger Allowance for responding to high-risk situations, including violent incidents and industrial accidents.

-Wet and Dirty Allowance to account for unsanitary working conditions, including exposure to contaminated water and biohazards.

-EMS Allowance for firefighters who serve as first responders, often facing infectious diseases and traumatic emergencies.

Additionally, the PSU is advocating for an increase in the Housing Allowance for transferred officers, raising it from $150 to $300 per month, as per contractual agreements.

Amid allegations of fund mismanagement and missing departmental assets, including uniforms and equipment, the PSU is requesting a financial and inventory audit of the Fire Services Department. Flowers (2025) said that such an audit would promote accountability and restore trust in the department’s leadership.

The union also criticized the lack of consultation on policy decisions that impact firefighters’ earnings, particularly overtime payment structures.

Furthermore, the PSU has called for timely performance appraisals and payment of outstanding salary increments for firefighters who have already completed evaluations. Delayed payments, according to the letter, undermine morale and erode trust in the Ministry’s commitment to its workforce.

The PSU has requested a written response within 21 days and remains open to further discussions to resolve these issues. The letter was also copied to key government officials, including Prime Minister John Briceño, Fire Chief Colin Gillett, and CEO Rolando Zetina of the Ministry of the Public Service.