BELIZE PRESS OFFICE
●Phone: 501-822-0094 or 822-0092 ●Fax: 501-822-2671 ● website: www.belize.gov.bz
REPORT ON THE SECURITY FORCES OPERATIONS IN
BELIZE CITY
Belmopan, 24th April, 2012. The Ministry of National Security wishes
to inform the general
Public of the details of their planned operations in Belize City. With
effect from 4 pm
yesterday, 23rd April, 2012 the following measures have been taken:
1. Static and roving vehicle check points were established throughout
the City and
at Hattieville and mile 4 on the Western highway, Boom junction and at the
Manatee lookout area on the Northern highway. Members from the Criminal
Intelligence Unit are assigned to these areas in order to assist in
the Identification
of known gang members and their affiliates.
2. Vehicle Check Points were also established at The River crossings
at Belcan and
Bel China with security forces lookout points at the approaches to the Swing
Bridge. Motor cycles are assigned to the lookout points in order to intercept
and interdict criminal element operating in those areas.
3. A security Corridor is established along Central American Boulevard
and Princess
Margret Drive from the Esso Depot to UB Campus in Button Wood Bay.
ATV's are assigned to the security team along the Security Corridor. This is to
ensure that Students and Workers can move freely to and from their place of
business in those areas.
4. Over forty (40) Belize Defence Force Soldiers were sworn in as
Special Constables
to allow them to carry out their functions during this operation.
5. In the various "Hot Spots", stop and search operations at key areas
are established.
Key choke point areas are manned especially in the vicinity of George
Street, Taylors Alley, Rocky Road and May Flower areas.
6. Static and roving foot and vehicle patrols are established in and
around the various
zones where criminal activities are known to occur.
7. CYDP operations continue in the various problem areas.
There are other planned initiatives which complement these overt
operations, which, for operational security reasons, we are unable to
share with the Public.
In view of these manpower intensive containment operations it is
expected that there will be some inconvenience and disruption of the
lives of many due to the nature of our intended operations. We
therefore, want to appeal to the Public to lend their support and have
some understanding for the action of the security forces as we act in
the interest of public safety, especially over the next few days.
Also, in order to avoid any unnecessary delays motorists (the driving
public) are asked to have a valid driving license with them and other
members of the public are encouraged to have some form of ID since
there may be instances when they may be asked to ID themselves.
The Ministry asks that the general public remains calm as we assure
you that the situation is being thoroughly and properly managed.
Thank you in anticipation for your kind cooperation.
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Ministry of National Security
Curl Thompson Building, Belmopan.