Commissioner of Police reassures that Port Loyola hotspot will be secure on municipal polling day

Posted: Friday, February 23, 2024. 2:49 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Following concerns raised by former Port Loyola area representative Anthony “Boots” Martinez, the Police Department and Ministry of Home Affairs has moved to reassure that voters can feel safe coming out to cast ballots for the municipal elections on March 6.

Martinez told reporters on Wednesday that Polling Station 22A, which has been moved to Excelsior High School on Fabers Road, is too close to the St John’s Vianney station in Polling Area 21 in the Queens Square division. He says it risks having members of rival gangs passing through the same area.

But Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police responded that the authorities will be on the ground to ensure no violence happens: “I don’t really think it is going to be much of an issue, like I said the police will be there to ensure that law and order is maintained throughout the polling station opening hours.”

He added that reinforcements will be brought in from Belmopan but emphasized that police will not be heavily moved to urban from rural areas on Election Day in order to keep law enforcement efforts a priority.

Laws on the books prohibit large gatherings, use of alcohol and displays favoring any political party from occurring and enforces a 100-yard line from the polling station for campaign activities.

 

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