ComPol: COVID enforcement “not about making arrests”

By Aaron Humes: While hailing the level of cooperation from ordinary Belizeans since the establishment of a task force and hotline concerning enforcement of COVID-19 regulations, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says he would be just as happy not to have to make as many arrests as it would mean that Belizeans are following the regulations to a T.

“… while we’re seeing a number of arrests… it will be seen as some way for people to understand that there’s a real need for us to comply with the regulations, to keep ourselves safe. For me, it is not about making arrests. For me, it’s more about people complying, so, I would be grateful to see that the number of arrests is reduced, providing that it will be a reflection that people are indeed complying with the requirements of the regulations,” the Commissioner told reporters this week.

Earlier this week, as many as 216 violators were arrested for various offenses: failing to wear a face mask or other nose and mouth covering while in public; failing to practice social distancing; breaking the curfew; attending a restricted social event; hosting a restricted social event; gathering in a public space when restricted to do so; engaging in a contact sport when restricted to do so; selling liquor when restricted to do so; transporting a passenger on public transportation who was not wearing a face mask or some other nose and mouth covering; keeping a business establishment open when it was required to be closed; operating a business establishment (a liquor store) contrary to the COVID-19 regulations; entering Belize illegally, and inciting someone else to enter Belize illegally.

Admitting that it is “frustrating” to still have to make arrests, the Commissioner said that is still preferable to “not reduce for reduce sake, because the police don’t want to arrest. Because the truth is that once there are infractions and you know you put people at risk, then the police should take action. So, I am hoping again – and I want to appeal to my Belizean people to please adhere to the regulations. Let’s see how we can work together. The only way we can overcome this pandemic will be by us individually acting more responsibly and adhering to the regulations.”

A majority of arrests took place in the Belize District.

Meanwhile, the cops are still dealing with border jumpers who are crossing into Belizean territory illegally, even after a severe crackdown initiated earlier this year.

Suspected border jumpers are sent to Camp D’Silva in the Mountain Pine Ridge of the Cayo District to be quarantined, and then charged and arraigned. At present, there are a number of these persons still waiting to be processed.

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