2025-01-08 - Channel 5 Belize

Police Dept. Discusses Crime Stats

The Belize Police Department held its biannual COMPSTAT meeting in Belmopan, where police commanders assessed crime trends and strategies. In the last meeting, which was held back in May 2024, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledged a rise in murders, saying, “We are down in major crime overall, but we’re up by seven murders compared to last year.”

In today’s COMPSTAT meeting, Williams reported a 16% reduction in major crimes but a slight increase in homicides. “Murders went from 87 in 2023 to 89 in 2024,” he said. Williams also pointed out that the Eastern Division saw a 24% drop in major crimes and an 18% decrease in homicides. “2024 is the only year where the Eastern Division does not account for more than half of the country’s murders,” with 39 of the 89 total.

Also present at today’s meeting was Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs. He stated his satisfaction with the police’s performance in the second half of 2024 but pointed out concerns over the increase in domestic-related murders. “Domestic-related murders were more than gang-related murders for the first time in a long time,” Musa said, referring to 18 domestic murders compared to 17 gang-related ones.

This Is Why George Brown was Murdered in Hopkins

Earlier today, the murder of George Brown, locally known as “Guru,” in the Hopkins Village, Stann Creek, became the second murder in 2025.

Initial reports indicated that Brown was attacked and fatally stabbed by his brother-in-law.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that Brown “may have given a girl a jacket that belonged to him. He later saw the jacket on another man and went to retrieve it. A fight ensued, and one of them was fatally stabbed.”

The police are treating the incident as a murder. ComPol Williams stated that “Unless there is some element of self-defence that he may raise, then the file would have to go to the DPP for directives.”

Meeting Held on Kolbe’s Prison Contract Renewal

Last week, we reported that the contract between the Kolbe Foundation and the government of Belize for the management of the Belize Central Prison has not been renewed. A meeting between both parties was held today. Police Minister Kareem Musa told News 5, “Whenever there is the ending of the contract, we do have a discussion with the Kolbe Foundation on the way forward. We’re actually having that meeting right now as we speak. My CEO is there, meeting with them, and I’m heading over there to see.”

Discussions between the foundation and government officials have been underway to finalise contract terms. Musa added that “Both sides have concerns in terms of the management, and so we are going to see if we can renew that contract.”

The private non-profit organisation has managed the prison since 2002, transforming it from a facility plagued by abuse, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions into one that prioritises rehabilitation and improved living standards for its 1,150 inmates.

The facility also offers rehabilitation programs such as addiction treatment, education, and vocational training in fields like welding and construction. With a cost of just $7 per inmate per day, the Kolbe Foundation’s focus on rehabilitation has led to lower recidivism rates.

Prime Minister Defends Detention of Jamaican Man

On Monday, Jamaican national Christopher McIntyre was detained in Belize after customs officials flagged his accommodation details. McIntyre had been invited by American Sheila Williams, who explained to News 5 that the booking was in her name, not his.

Williams tried to resolve the issue by speaking to officials, but she was told by a supervisor that her invitation didn’t hold weight, as she is not a Belizean citizen. McIntyre remains in detention, and Williams is now working with attorney Norman Rodriguez to explore legal options for his release.

Prime Minister John Briceño commented, stating that Belize had to ensure visitors met specific criteria, such as proof of funds and confirmed accommodation. “There have been many instances where we’ve had, in this issue, Jamaicans that would come to Belize and say they would come on holidays and then after that they disappear. They go across the border on the way to the United States. We have a responsibility to ensure that that is kept at a minimum.”

Briceño said, adding that “Based on what was presented to the department… they felt that he did not meet the criteria.”

Can Belize Expect Massive Deportation of Belizeans?

President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans have many illegal immigrants in U.S. soil sitting on the edge of their seats. Trump’s plan is set to launch after his inauguration on January 20, and it is expected to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, including those with temporary protections.

As of 2022, approximately 11 million immigrants lived in the U.S. illegally, with some estimates suggesting this number has risen to 13-14 million. A substantial portion of undocumented immigrants come from Mexico, with other top countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Guatemala has expressed willingness to accept citizens from other Central American countries deported from the United States as part of its efforts to foster a positive relationship with the incoming Trump administration. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, Belize will not.

When asked about possible pressure, he added, “We are a sovereign nation, and they cannot force us to accept people that are not citizens from this country. And as far as I am concerned, we are not going to accept any citizen that is not Belizean.”

Could Belize face a significant influx of Belizeans being deported from the United States due to their undocumented status?

When asked about it today, Briceño stated, “We are concerned about any mass deportation, but when it comes to Belizeans, we have to welcome them. This is their home.”

Briceño also addressed the situation for Belizeans with criminal records who may be deported. He said, “If they send anybody with a criminal record, we hope that when they come, they will be productive citizens, but we cannot stop them from coming back to Belize,” adding that “There are no if’s or but’s about that.”

At Least Two Dead, Thousands Evacuated as Los Angeles Wildfires Rage

Wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles County have claimed at least two lives, left dozens injured, and destroyed over 1,000 structures, forcing the evacuation of more than 70,000 residents. Firefighters are battling four major blazes—Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley—that remain completely uncontained, stretching emergency services to their limits. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley acknowledged the overwhelming strain, stating that the department was prepared for one or two significant fires but not four simultaneously.

The Palisades Fire is the largest and most destructive, having burnt over 5,000 acres and destroyed 1,000 structures. Fierce winds grounded firefighting aircraft and left fire hydrants temporarily dry in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, intensifying the challenge for emergency responders. Currently, 37,000 residents are under evacuation orders as the blaze continues to grow.

The Eaton Fire near Pasadena has resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, some of which are severe. This fire has consumed over 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 32,500 residents. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire, which ignited near Sylmar, has grown to 500 acres, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 people. The Woodley Fire, the most recent to ignite, has burnt 75 acres so far, with crews scrambling to contain it.

Authorities warn that strong winds and worsening conditions could escalate the situation, putting all of Los Angeles County at risk. A local reporter, who has lived in California for 25 years, described these wildfires as the most alarming he has ever witnessed, noting their unprecedented scale and intensity.

PM Says Large Order Placed for Driver’s License and Stickers

Why are drivers still waiting for license cards and stickers many months after renewal? Many drivers are asking this after going through the process of renewal and only receiving receipts as proof of their renewal.

Yesterday, one driver shared a receipt from three months ago with the note, “NO lic printing at D.o.t.” while waiting for their physical card. Another driver told News 5, “It’s very frustrating because when you have a receipt, it can get damaged or anything, and when they ask you if you lost it, then it gets frustrating. We are paying full price, so we expect to get it.”

In response to the public’s growing concern, Prime Minister John Briceño told reporters that after meeting with Minister Ferguson and acting CEO Valentino Shal, a large order of license plates and stickers was placed. Briceño said, “CEO Shal confessed that he did not know the extent of the need that was out there. And that’s why it’s finished… We should be able to address all the needs going forward.” He also mentioned he would check with the Ministry of Finance to confirm that payment has been made for the new order.

PM John Briceño Responds to Sugar Road Issues in Corozal

Today, Prime Minister John Briceño responded to growing concerns over poor sugarcane roads in the Corozal District. Briceño stated that while funds and contracts are in place for repairs, weather conditions continue to prevent progress.

“We will be wasting money if we try to fix the road right now, because then one day later, two days later, it’s going to break up,” PM Briceño said.

Earlier this week, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) raised alarm over the ongoing issues in a letter to the Prime Minister. CSCPA stated that despite claims that 90% of roads have been fixed, farmers in the district are struggling to deliver sugarcane to the mill due to ongoing road issues.

CSCPA also cited challenges like high humidity, pests, and investments made before the crop season, all affecting sugar cane quality.

Meanwhile, on the day that Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) opened its gates, BSI’s Financial Director, Shawn Chavarria, called the situation a “long-term failure.” Chavarria stated that this inadequate infrastructure has been an issue for years. “It’s been successive years of inadequate maintenance and repairs to these sugar roads for a critical industry,” he said.

Prime Minister Briceño addressed the issue, noting that weather conditions have delayed repairs. “We have the money. We’ve signed the contracts, and we’ve set aside even another million dollars plus to be able to fix the Sugar Roads, but until the weather clears up and it dries up, there’s not much that we can do.”

Young Man Stabbed in Hopkins

Police are investigating the fatal stabbing incident that occurred earlier today in Hopkins Village in the Stann Creek District.

The victim has been identified as George Brown, locally known as “Guru.”

Brown was reportedly attacked and stabbed by his brother-in-law. His family expressed their loss on social media, with one of them stating, “RIP cuz dey chance u bway,” and another saying, “How ih hurt so bad breda breda I love u.”

The Belize Police Department is holding its 4th Quarter National COMPSTAT Meeting in Belmopan, where it is expected that preliminary details of this incident will be shared.

Brown is the second person to be killed this year. The first murder victim is fifty-nine-year-old fisherman Godfrey Hyde Junior from Belize City. His body was found with gunshot wounds at a fishing camp on the Turneffe Atoll on Saturday morning.