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Progress on Police Barracks in San Pedro

We are VERY excited to announce that construction on the police barracks will resume immediately! Since the San Pedro Sun article last week, we've received the following generous donations: Victoria House, Ambergris Caye, Belize - $10,000. The Phoenix - $10,000. Blue Water Grill - San Pedro, Belize - $10,000. Landings at Tres Cocos - $10,000. Havana Cigars -$250. Mark & Brooke Maggiotto - $1,000. You can see an up to date list of donors here: - the most recent donations are highlighted in green. We still need to raise more money. If you want to donate, please contact Mukul (mukul@thephoenixbelize.com) or Gricel (ggraniel@matachica.com). If you can share this post to help spread the word, we'd appreciate it. And last: if all you do is complain, you aren't helping to solve the problem.

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SPTC to relocate two buildings for Police

While the building of the new barracks is being spearheaded by Kanabar and a few other businesspeople, there is another issue of concern: the relocation of two small wooden houses donated to the police that will complement the barracks project. The two houses were originally donated as sleeping quarters for the Belize Coast Guard by the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA). Now that the Coast Guard has new headquarters near the marina, they no longer require the use of the buildings, and the SPBA has offered the building stop the San Pedro Police Department.The SPBA claims that they approached the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) for assistance in relocating the buildings, but months passed without any word from the SPTC. SPBA memberElitoArceoannounced last week that he was prepared to move the buildings with the help of community support, since all attempts to get the council's assistance had failed.

Mayor Guerrero agreed that it has taken a few months for them to act on the initiative and indicated that the coordination to remove the buildings took time. "We know that tensions are high because of the recent crime and shooting and people want things to be done immediately, but these things take time," said Guerrero. When asked what is taking so long,Guerrero indicated that the delay was due to the acquisition of nine lamp posts from Belize Electricity Limited that would be used as foundation piles. "We just got the posts and we are already working on removing the buildings," said the Mayor. At press time, the SPTC work crew, spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Gaby Nuñez, has been on the ground trying to start the relocation process. The Mayor also indicated that once the buildings have been installed, community assistance in painting and finishing the homes is more than welcome as well as donated interior furnishings and appliances.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

I read that article and it brought a smile to my face =)

Works to complete the police barracks has restarted!

14 days after the San Pedro Town Council announced that they were ready to move the two houses donated to the San Pedro Police Department, the houses still remain unmoved. The houses were given to police, by the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) after the Belize Coast Guard no longer had use for them. The houses are expected to address the issue of the living conditions of the police officers on the island who live in dilapidated buildings.

According to the supervisor of the project, Deputy Mayor Gabriel "Gaby" Nuñez, due to personal issues, he had to be away for a few days but work resumed on Friday April 4th. "We did all the measurements but due to family health emergencies work was halted. We have resumed work and we expect that by this weekend, the project will begin to take shape," said Nuñez, who is overseeing the volunteer group that is moving the two buildings.

Meanwhile, another project addressing the same housing issue is the completion of the new police barracks building spearheaded by a group of business people. The group announced last week that they were short $44,750 to complete the building, and they appealed to the business community for support. Since then four more monetary donations: $3,000 from Lola's Pub, $5,000 from a frequent guest at The Phoenix, $500 from Hidden Treasure Restaurant and $500 from Henry and Mary Beissner have come in. With those donations, the project remains short $38,750 from completion. Three in-kind donations were also made; Abel's Painting has donated $10,000 worth of paint and labor, Kama Lounge is donating new sheets, pillows and ten toilets amounting to $5,000 and The San Pedro Sun will donate a full sized refrigerator. Work on the building is expected to commence on Friday April 4th as well.

Anyone wanting to contribute financially or in-kind to the barracks building is asked to contact Mukul Kanabar at mukul@thephoenixbelize.com, Gricel Graniel at ggraniel@matachica.com or The San Pedro Sun at 226-2070.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

Police houses still not relocated 70 days after SPTC committed to do so; new barracks building near completion

70 days after a commitment was made by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) to move two houses donated to the San Pedro Police Department, that promise has yet to be filled. The houses were donated to the police through the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) to be used as living quarters.

SPBA founding member Elito Arceo had offered to move the buildings with community support, but the SPTC stepped in and committed to doing so instead. Once occupied by members of the Belize Coast Guard on the island, the structures remain unoccupied on a private property in the San Pablo Area. When asked what has taken so long for the SPTC to relocate the structures, Deputy Mayor Gabriel "Gabby" Nuñez indicated that beyond previous reasons given, he wants to complete a project he is currently involved with, that will help address the living conditions of the police, before moving on to the relocation of the two buildings. "All the materials have been purchased for the two buildings. We have taken the decision to complete the construction of the two-story wooden barracks, which we estimate will take another two weeks, and then we will proceed to moving the two houses," said Gabby Nunez.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

San Pedro business community delivers new barracks to Police Department

The San Pedro Police Formation now boasts new police barracks. The two-story building was inaugurated on Wednesday August 13th before a group of community members including the business community.With funds strictly raised through the business community, the police barracks project was led by GriselGraniel and Mukul Kanabar.

Construction of the building started in May of 2013 under the watchful eyes of contractor and Deputy Mayor Gaby Nuñez. During the first part of the construction phase, funds were depleted and the project came to a temporary halt. But after Graniel and Kanabar re-approached the business community, the much needed cash was injected into the project and led to the completion of the barracks.

The building boasts eight rooms with individual private baths that will each accommodate a police officer. According to the Superintendent of Police Luis Castellanos (Officer Commanding the Coastal Executive Unit which includes the San Pedro Police Formation),the project is gratefully received. In addressing the invited guests, he said that despite the setbacks and challenges, he was confident in the business community and remained focused. "The realization of this project greatly alleviates and highlights two issues: first it enhances the officer's welfare and secondly it creates more available space for us to have more officers transferred to this beautiful island. This project has demonstrated that the community and in particular the business sector and the police can work together. We can work together to achieve our goals and objective… this project has also shown me that San Pedro Town and business community really and truly cares for the welfare of my officers," explained a thrilled Castellanos.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

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So Great to See: The Inauguration of San Pedro's New Police Barracks
Yesterday morning, an invitation was sent out. The San Pedro Police Barracks, the NEW home for eight police people, was finished! And there would be a 4pm Inauguration ceremony to officially baptize the brand new building and to celebrate. Many people from local and national government, from the business community and the public showed up for this momentous event. I had seen the fundraising information and a few pictures in the local paper but honestly? I didn't know that much about the project. By the end of the ceremony, I really had such a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Work on Phase Two of police barracks to resume in 2015

Work on the second phase of the police barracks building is currently at a standstill and is not expected to resume until the first week of 2015. The delay of the arrival of material being shipped from the mainland has prevented the construction team from completing the building. Work on the second barrack building commenced in early October 2014, and so far the foundation and first floor walls have been constructed.

According to Deputy Mayor Gabriel "Gaby" Nuñez the construction of this building is expected to be completed much faster than the first building. "Right now we have ordered almost all the material needed to construct the structure. The only thing that is holding us back is that we need the material to be shipped and that takes time, but once the material is here, construction will proceed in full force," said Nuñez. The second building will share the same design as the first barrack building, but instead of having eight rooms it will only have four. While the building will follow the same concept, minor changes will be made to the first floor, as it will be converted into a recreational and educational facility for the San Pedro Cadet Corp. The second floor will have two rooms, each with private bathrooms that will house two officers comfortably.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

Second Phase of Police Barracks Project to tentatively resume in two weeks

Two weeks into 2015, and work has not yet resumed on the second phase of the police barracks project as previously indicated. The delay is attributed to the lack of time from construction agents Gaby's Construction who undertook the project for no charge. Owner of Gaby's Construction and Deputy Mayor of San Pedro, Gabriel "Gaby" Nuñez has stated that construction is now tentatively scheduled to resume in two weeks. Currently only the foundation and first floor walls have been constructed.

Nuñez, who is donating both his and his workers service, indicated that the construction company is in a tight schedule with other contracts, but will resume work on the police barracks as soon as possible. "We are expecting to have some free time to start some time within the next two weeks. Once we start working again it won't take long to complete the building," said Nuñez.

The second building will have the same design as the first barracks building. It will have two bedrooms on the second floor, while the first floor will have one bedroom and a recreational facility for the San Pedro Cadet Corps. Each room will have a private bathroom. Nuñez has indicated that some items are still needed to complete the project including windows, doors, interior furnishings, and bathroom fixtures.

Anyone wanting to make additional donations, either monetary or in materials, can contact Deputy Mayor Gabriel Nuñez at 605-0976 or Inspector Henry Jemmott at 600-6523.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

The renovation of one of the existing San Pedro Police barracks by the San Pedro Business Community is almost complete. Currently in its fourth week of construction, the three bedroom barrack building now has new roofing, flooring, doors, windows, exterior and interior walls. The barracks also saw new electrical wiring being placed to ensure the building is more fire resistant. Finishing cosmetic touches are being made before the building is officially presented to the police.

Plans are already underway to renovate another barrack building. Also a new communal bathroom will be constructed. The bathroom will consist of adequate facilities for both males and females, as well as offer privacy to users. Those wishing to contribute to the cause can contact Mukul Kanabar at mukul@thephoenixbelize.com, Gricel Graniel at ggraniel@matachica.com or Henry Jemmott at henry.jemmott@gmail.com/ henry.jemmott@policenet.bz.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

This is how the police services are accommodated in San Pedro in terms of living space while stationed on the island. No help from GOB here, and police personnel were expected to live in severely substandard housing. This support from the business community is huge and worthy of great appreciation from the town.

Work on phase two of Police Barracks resumes

Works on the second phase of the police barracks building has finally resumed as of Wednesday, August 26th, after being at a standstill for almost a year. The construction of the second barrack building began early in October of 2014, and so far, only the foundation and first floor walls have been constructed. According to Mayor Daniel Guerrero the delay was due to medical conditions affecting the contractor of the facility. "The construction came to a stall due to Gaby travelling out of the country because of medical issues, dealing with his family and himself as well. Now he is back to the project with the aim of completing the construction of the two story building. The construction should not take long, however I cannot give a time frame. But definitely, the building will be ready soon, after works resume on it," Guerrero stated. The two story building/barracks for the police will have four rooms with a recreational and educational facility for the San Pedro Cadet Corp on the first floor. While on the second floor there will be two rooms, each with a private bathroom designed to house officers.

The Ministry of National Security gave $50,000 towards the completion of the building in August of last year, but according to Guerrero more will be needed. "The government provided us with some funds which have already been used in purchasing the construction materials. The funds were not enough so we might need the San Pedro Town Council and maybe the business community as well to chip in, in order to finalize the completion of the building," said Guerrero. The additional funds that are needed will cover the cost for plumbing, electric wiring, painting and tiling. After the completion of the police barracks there will be the construction of four police substations which will be the precincts that will be installed at San Mateo, San Juan, San Pedrito and the DFC area.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun