Posted: June 14, 2016. 6:07 p.m. CST.
By Aaron Humes: Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, Officer Commanding Eastern Division (South) spoke of several crime and law enforcement-related issues in his press conference in Belize City on Monday. 
We begin with an update on the 9 o’clock curfew that was instituted for children of South side Belize City in April. The old proverb goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” And while several youths have run afoul of the curfew since its implementation, ACP Williams says that so far police have avoided having to implement the stronger measures occasioned by a second offence.
Williams’ precinct will be organizing summer activities through its Community Policing Program for school children.
Meanwhile, Williams also commented on the vulgar sex videos distributed this weekend, and in particular the showing a man and a woman purported to have mental challenges who were bribed with soft drinks and then instructed to perform sexual acts while they are filmed.
Williams, who last year completed his qualification as an attorney at law, spoke to the challenges of identifying the perpetrators of this act, as well as other difficulties that would arise in punishing such actions.
We note that from the voices heard in the video, it appears the perpetrators are youth. Williams also called for legislation to specifically address cyber-crime, from online stalking and bullying to posting pornographic and suggestive videos and photographs.
And finally, over the past 10 to 15 years a number of factors; including senseless and unprovoked murders among others, have led to increased need for the protection of witnesses in criminal proceedings in Belize. Perhaps the two most important factors in the Americas have been the emergence of interest in the status of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings and the significant rise in terrorist and organized crime.
Although witness protection has many aspects and several controversial issues to be looked at, one cannot deny that it can be an effective component employed to successfully put criminals behind bars. But ACP Chester Williams says Belize has unique challenges in that regard.
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