A New Police Precinct for Maya Mopan Community, Belmopan

The Maya Mopan community in Belmopan has a new police precinct after an opening ceremony was held this evening for the facility. But while the precinct is located in that community, it will serve the rapidly expanding communities of Salvapan and San Martin as well. It is also the result of quick action after three Belmopan residents were gruesomely shot and killed in December. News Five’s Marion Ali has the details in the following report.

Marion Ali, Reporting
One month after three members of the Ramnarace family of Belmopan were brutally murdered at the home of one in the Maya Mopan area, a new police precinct was opened in the community. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said it will be staffed with ten police officers.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have to find the resources to be able to man these very important precincts. While we look at that heinous event that brought us here today, we can all safely say that hereinafter, the Maya Mopan and surrounding area is going to be a much safer place.”

Minister of Police, Kareem Musa committed to expanding number of qualified police men and women who serve in the Belize Police Department.

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“We are graduating in a few months one hundred and fifty new recruits and again we have to acknowledge where we have changed the game, that it’s not by political appointed that you are appointed a police officer. You have to have a high school degree. You have to pass an extremely rigorous vetting process for you to now qualify to become a police officer.”

For the Belmopan Area Representative, Oscar Mira, this was the response to a request that the residents of the area had made of him of a fast-growing Capital City.

Oscar Mira

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“The City of Belmopan has been expanding and it’s expanding to the Eastern side of the city. We have a very large community, which is the Salvapan, San Martin, and the Maya Mopan community. It is very populated. That is the expansion of Belmopan right now, so the services that we provide, in terms of the police and fire stations and all the rest, we need to expand it.”

According to Mira, the precinct will be able to function on its own, with a vehicle and equipment to conduct patrols. And for the Mayor of the municipality, who frequently promotes self-sustainable projects, Sharon Palacio, she says she will do her part to ensure that crime is minimized.

Sharon Palacio

Sharon Palacio, Mayor, Belmopan

“Rest assured that I have and will continue to avail myself to you at all times to fight crime and develop minds. My heart is open to make Belmopan an example of peace and development and prosperity for all ah wi.”

Marion Ali for News Five.