Is 2022 Already Off to a Violent Start?

But, is 2022 off to a bad start already? There were three murders in the first five days of the year: the double murder of Raymond Dominguez and Justin Milligan on January third, followed by the murder of Dangriga teen, Joshua Flores, on January fifth. ComPol Chester Williams says that Cayo and Stann Creek Districts were responsible for the increase in murders in 2021, and he is going to ensure that that changes this year.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“For 2022, we are going to ensure we do our best to make this year a better year than last year.”

Duane Moody

“You think the year start off bad already?”

Chester Williams

“I am not going to say that because while yes we saw, we had the two double murder in Sand Hill, again it is difficult for police to prevent that due to the isolated nature of where it occurred. And then the one we had now in Dangriga, which is unfortunate – I wish it had not occurred – but the fact that I am here along with my command team addressing it and, like I said, tough decisions are going to be made, I believe we are going to get a grip of Dangriga. Let me say that the Cayo District and the Stann Creek District are responsible for the increase in murders for last year and I am going to ensure that there is no repetition of that this year. The Stann Creek District and the Cayo District must perform better this year. In the Belmopan area, murder increased by over five hundred percent when compared to 2020 and so it cannot be something that we can allow to happen this year so there is a lot that has to be done.”